In Memory of Dennis Edward Ladwig

Dennis Edward Ladwig, age 72, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 6, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. Interment will be at a later date in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Dennis Edward Ladwig, the son of Edward and Mary (Crane) Ladwig, was born on January 28, 1946, in Storm Lake, Iowa. He grew up in Ida Grove, Iowa and attended Ida Grove Public School.

On November 27, 1965, Dennis married the love of his life JoLene Dean in the Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Dennis and JoLene were blessed with four children Lola, Ranea, Gala, and Denise. Dennis loved his family and he and JoLene knew they had more love to share. For over 20 years they were foster parents and had the joy of adopting six children Ryan, Sonya, Amanda, Tanner, Orry, and Aiesha. 

Dennis started driving truck at the tender age of 16. He worked for a variety of employers throughout his life. He lugged beef at IBP in Denison, IA, hauled for Swift Trucking out of Sioux City, IA, hauled cement for United Builders and milk for the Ida Grove Creamy, drove for Hewitt Trucking and Mau Trucking all of Ida Grove, IA. Dennis continued to drive for Hallet Material, and Godbersen Smith Construction before he retired in 2006. 

Dennis was a family man. He relished in spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren grow. Dennis enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and playing Santa Claus for numerous years for the city of Ida Grove. 

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 52 years JoLene Ladwig; children: Lola (Ed) Kenney, Ranea (Kurt) Rehse, Gala (Ray) Endrulat, Denise (Tim) Blunk, Ryan (Leila) Ladwig, Sonya Ladwig, Amanda (Justin) Wuebker, Tanner (Elizabeth) Ladwig, Orry (Thearse) Ladwig, Aiesha Ladwig; grandchildren: Rebecca Shomo, Anissa Ladwig, Isaac Endrulat, Bethany Rehse, Abi Kenney, Lilly Ladwig; step-grandchildren Ray Jr. (Brandy) Endrulat, Melissa (Chris) Subbert, Katelyn (Adrian) Long, Jake Blunk, Nick Blunk, William Blunk, Ben Blunk, Kira Ladwig and Melody Ladwig; 9 step great-grandchildren; siblings twin sister Mary (Ben) Lackman, Howard (Rose) Ladwig, Daniel (Kathy) Ladwig, Kathy (Rod) Hinojosa; sisters-in-law Sheryl (Mason) Goodenow, Bobby (Jim) Chandler, Mary Jane Sahl, Nona Engelke; brothers-in-law Danny (Joan) Dean, Vernon (Dwan) Dean, Larry (Jan) Dean, Terry Dean, Phillp (Stacy) Dean, Alan (Louise) Dean; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Mary Ladwig; brother Mike Ladwig; in-laws Robert and Gala Dean; three nieces Linda Dean, Tammy Dean, Lauren Goodenow.