James Ruddy

Sibley, IA      James “Jim” Ruddy, age 75 of Sibley, IA died Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.      Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of George, IA. with Reverend Mike Hagan officiating.        Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery.        Visitation will be Wednesday, April 20th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.      James “Jim” Ruddy was born April 12, 1941 in Luverne, MN to Loren and Carol (Larson) Ruddy. He was raised on a farm near Luverne, MN and graduated from Luverne High School. On October 6, 1963 he was united in marriage with Lena Schulte. The couple moved to Crystal, MN where they lived and raised their family. Jim worked as a diesel mechanic and spent 40 plus years working for the Penske Truck Leasing Company. Jim was a man who loved to serve his fellow man. One way in which he did this was by working on vehicles for those who were in need. He became the neighborhood mechanic and enjoyed every minute of it. He loved his family very much and loved spending time with them. He enjoyed fishing with his son Kevin and his grandchildren. He also enjoyed deer hunting and playing his special brand of Pinochle called “Ruddy Pinochle” where the rules were subject to change. This past Sunday, Jim passed away at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 75. He will be greatly missed.      Faith was a big part of Jim’s life and trusted Jesus as his personal Savior. He was a member at Faith Baptist Church in Minneapolis for many years where he served on the Trustee Board, ushered, and worked many behind the scenes tasks. He transferred his membership to First Baptist Church (George, IA) when he and Lena retired.      Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lena Ruddy; son, Kevin (Gail) Ruddy of Brooklyn Park, MN; daughters, Marcee Ruddy of Sibley, IA and Julie (Kai-Michael) Walther of Maple Grove, MN; nephew, Jason Palmer of Crystal, MN; three grandchildren, Taunya, Tyler, and Kyleen Walther all of Maple Grove, MN; sisters, Corinne Nath, Judy Craig; brothers, Eugene, Lane, John, Bob, and Dave; and other extended family members.      He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley (2004); parents, Loren and Carol Ruddy; brothers and sisters, Mavis Wahlert, Bud Ruddy, Peach Kasemodel, Mike Ruddy, Patricia Miller, Donald Ruddy, Marilyn Palmer, Melvin Dale, and Theresa Ruddy; parents-in-law, Herman and Jennie (DeBoer) Schulte.