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Kenneth Gerald Ruegsegger, 82, West Liberty
Obituaries · April 07, 2016
Kenneth Gerald Ruegsegger of West Liberty died March 29, 2016 surrounded by his family after an eight-month battle with prostate cancer. He was 82.
Born Aug. 29, 1933, Ken was a tireless volunteer, leading by example, getting his hands dirty working behind the scenes to make West Liberty the best that it can be.
He earned his B.S. in agriculture from Iowa State in 1959, was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962, and moved his family to West Liberty in 1964, where he immersed himself in the community. 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.
In 1969, he started West Liberty Builders. Soon afterwards he opened West Liberty Lumber on Highway 6 on the west edge of West Liberty. His travels while selling and building pole barns gave him an unequalled knowledge of every gravel road in eastern Iowa.
He was a 50-year member of the West Liberty Rotary Club where he served as president, became a Paul Harris fellow, and received a Presidential Citation for Service Above Self.
He served on the West Liberty Planning and Zoning Board; volunteered for the RSVP program driving senior citizens to doctors appointments; and served as president and board member of Golden Years Housing. He volunteered for the Dream Catchers scholarship foundation, served on the board of the Simpson home, was a past member of the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce, and member of American Field Service (AFS) for 35 years. For 16 years in the ‘60s and ‘70s, he sang heartily with the Old Capitol Barbershop Chorus. He organized the annual Father’s Day car show in West Liberty, and started the ecumenical Layman’s pancake breakfast.
He was an active member of the West Liberty Heritage Foundation board and was instrumental in securing and arranging transportation of the barn at the Heritage Park. He also belonged to the Iowa Barn Foundation.
In his free time, he could be found on his trusty John Deere riding mower helping keep West Liberty looking its best by mowing the bike trail and other areas. He enjoyed old cars, old barns, photography, and reading.
He and wife Marilyn celebrated their 59th anniversary on March 22nd. He is survived by a sister, Marcia Lee Wood of Wellman; three sons, Kevin (Cheryl Lounsberry) of Des Moines, Craig (Barb) of Altoona, Iowa, and Steve (Jeneen) of Sunderland, Md.; two grandchildren, Colton and Anna; and two step-grandchildren, Sara and Lauren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Vera; and two younger brothers, Duane and Kermit.
A memorial visitation was held Friday, April 1, 2016, with memorial services Saturday, both at First Church United. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ken Ruegsegger Memorial Fund.
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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