John Pudwill

Rock Rapids, Iowa

     John Pudwill age 92, of Rock Rapids, IA, formerly of Emery, SD died, December 22, 2022, at the Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids.

     A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 27th at the United Christian Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Corilee Boer officiating.

     Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

     The burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at Emery Community Cemetery in Emery, South Dakota.

     Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.

     John Pudwill, Jr. was born July 28, 1930, in Avon, South Dakota. He is the son of John and Amelia (Guthmiller) Pudwill. He grew up on a family farm near Avon, SD and as a teenager his family moved to Avon. He graduated from Avon High School. After his education he entered the U.S. Navy where he served two years. He then moved to Emery, South Dakota and started working at Tri County Mutual Telephone Company. He met the love of his life, Mavis Miner, and was united in marriage on April 20, 1952. He then was reactivated to serve two more years with the U.S. Navy, during the Korean War.

     After John received his honorable discharge he returned to his wife, Mavis. He lived in Emery, South Dakota and continued working at Tri County Mutual Telephone Company. He worked his way up to manager of the company. On July 16, 1988, John’s wife of 36 years passed away. John continued managing the phone company until the age of 75. In 2014 he moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa to be near his daughter, Debra. He entered the nursing home in August of 2022.

     John was a past member of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Emery, SD and held various offices in the church. For many years, John was a lay minister and preached throughout the Midwest. He was a member of the Eastern Star, Elk’s Club, Masonic Lodge, and Shriner’s Club. He volunteered for many years at the Shriner’s Circus and Road Rangers, transporting children back and forth to the Shriner’s Hospital in Minneapolis. After moving to Rock Rapids, he joined the United Christian Church, where he served as Treasurer and Elder. He also continued his ministry with Gideon’s volunteering at the Lyon County Jail.

     John enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and shooting guns with his son-in-law and grandsons. He was a fan of the Minnesota Twins, Dallas Cowboys, and especially Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling. Most of all he cherished his family. He was commonly referred to as “Papa John” by many friends and family. He was also renowned for his world famous, dill pickles.

     He is survived by his daughter, Debra (Steven) Campbell of Rock Rapids, IA; his grandson, Aaron (Miranda) Campbell of Plymouth, MN, their children, Conor and Leo; his grandson, Collin (Katie Geerdes) of Rock Rapids, IA, their son, Jack; a brother, Norman Pudwill of Hot Springs, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Amelia Pudwill; loving wife, Mavis Pudwill; son, Randy Pudwill; and siblings: Lester, Leone, Lincoln, Herb, Otto, Roland, Jim, Lorraine, Elsie, Lillian, Viola, and Edna.

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