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Kenneth Ruegsegger
KENNETH RUEGSEGGER
West Liberty
Kenneth Gerald Ruegsegger of West Liberty died March 29, 2016, after an eight-month battle with prostate cancer. He was 82.
Ken was a tireless volunteer, leading by example, getting his hands dirty, working behind the scenes to make West Liberty the best that it could be.
He earned his B.S. in agriculture from Iowa State in 1959, was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962 and in 1964, moved his family to West Liberty, where he immersed himself in the community. As a 52-year member of West Liberty Christian Church, he served as board president, elder, deacon and high school Sunday school teacher. When the Christian and Presbyterian churches merged, forming First Church United, he chaired the building committee for a new building in 1976.
As a 50-year member of the West Liberty Rotary Club, he served as president, and received the prestigious Paul Harris award, and a Presidential Citation for Service Above Self.
He served on the West Liberty Planning and Zoning Board; volunteered for RSVP, driving senior citizens to doctors' appointments; served as president and board member of Golden Years Housing; helped found the Dream Catchers scholarship program; served on the West Liberty Heritage Foundation board; and belonged to the Iowa Barn Foundation.
As owner of West Liberty Builders, his travels to sell and build pole barns gave him an unequalled knowledge of every gravel road in Eastern Iowa.
Free time was spent on his John Deere riding mower keeping West Liberty looking its best. He enjoyed old cars, old barns and reading.
He and wife, Marilyn, celebrated their 59th anniversary on March 22.
He is survived by a sister, Marcia Lee of Wellman; three sons, Kevin (Cheryl Lounsberry) of Des Moines, Craig (Barb) of Altoona and Steve (Jeneen) of Sunderland, Md.; two grandchildren, Colton and Anna; and two stepgrandchildren, Sara and Lauren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Vera; and two younger brothers, Duane and Kermit.
A memorial visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 1, with memorial services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, both at First Church United.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ken Ruegsegger Memorial Fund.
The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.
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