In loving memory of

Bonnie Ruden
August 13, 1929 - July 7, 2019

Bonnie Josephine Ruden, 89, of Ames, Iowa, formerly of Le Mars, passed away Monday, July 8, 2019, at Northridge Village in Ames. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2019, at St. James Catholic Church 109 6th Ave, S.W., Le Mars, Iowa 51031. Burial will follow in St. Catherine's Cemetery in Oyens. Visitation with the family present will be from 12:30 pm until service time on Friday, August 9, at the church.

Bonnie Josephine Kenaley was born on August 14, 1929, in Cooper Township in Monona County, Iowa, the youngest daughter of Joseph Leo and Josephine Margaret (Sullivan) Kenaley. She graduated as class salutatorian from Union Consolidated School in 1946.

She married Joseph Clarence Ruden on February 19, 1955, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars and he preceded her in death on June 2, 2005.

Following high school, Bonnie worked in Sioux City and later lived and worked at her parents' home farm in Union Township. She met Joe during a dance at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen.

After they married, she and Joe farmed together in Plymouth County until moving to Le Mars in 1965. During those years, Bonnie was a homemaker and raised the couple's six children. She later held jobs outside the home at the Le Mars Daily Sentinel and at Ben Franklin store in Le Mars.

Bonnie was a longtime active member of St. James Catholic Church and was sustained by both her faith and the friendships she made within the parish. A caregiver at heart, she often devoted her time to caring for friends and family who were aging, ill or in-need.

Bonnie most enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She visited them often, and will be lovingly remembered for her sense of humor and her steady supply of cookies.

Bonnie is survived by her children Roxanne (Bob) Kelly of Windsor Heights; David (Lisa) Ruden of Le Mars; Barbara (Gregory) Utesch of Ames; Bridget (Brien) Schumacher of Longmont, CO; Timothy (Carol) Ruden of Ogden, UT; Caroline (Todd) Hanson of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Kris (Mike) Hertel, Joe Kelly, Jim Kelly, Dave Kelly, Larry Wayne Robins (Jenny), Tracy Robins, Bryan Robins, Shannon Robins, Libby (Kyle) Louwagie, Ben Utesch, Caleb Utesch, Colin Schumacher, Emma Schumacher, Sean Schumacher, Katie Ruden, Stephanie Barnes, Leo Hanson and Gus Hanson, and great-grandchildren Bobby Hertel, Emma Robins and Owen Robins, a brother, Bob (Ruth) Kenaley, sisters-in-law Cy Ahlers, Erma Bush, Mary Ann Mousel, Jeanne Woll, and Lorraine Ruden; brothers-in-law Eldon (Mildred) Ruden and Tom (Marva) Ruden and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph Ruden, sisters, Louise Kidd, Rose Krogh, Rita Starzl, Alice Murray and Betty Kenaley; and her brothers, Gerald and Don.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to https://www.catholiccharities.com/donate/.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.

To read the full obituary, please click here: https://www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituary/319844/Bonnie-Ruden

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