Lawrence H. Ludwigs

HAWARDEN, IOWA – Lawrence Ludwigs, 88, of Hawarden, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the Dunlap Specialty Care in Dunlap, Iowa.

   A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Hawarden at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden is assisting the family. The service will be livestreamed on this obituary page.

   Lawrence Henry Ludwigs was born July 29, 1933 to Henry D. and Martha (Beeck) Ludwigs on a farm in Portland Township, Plymouth County, near Chatsworth, Iowa. He graduated from Akron High School in 1952. He worked as a farm laborer for a few years. Lawrence was employed by the construction company that built the West Sioux High School in Hawarden, Iowa.

   He married Leona Richmond on May 19, 1962 at the First Baptist Church in Hawarden.

   He lost his eyesight in 1972. Lawrence was the first blind person to graduate from Northwest Iowa Technical College (now NCC) in Sheldon taking a machinist course. He was employed at Kooima Manufacturing in Rock Valley, Iowa for three years.

   Lawrence was baptized and a confirmed as a member of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Chatsworth. He served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. He later became a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. Lawrence had perfect Sunday School attendance for fifteen years. In 1998, he became a member of the Hawarden Community Church and later returned to the First Baptist Church.

   He enjoyed music, singing in the choir and as a soloist, gardening, flowers, and yard work.

   Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother in infancy, Wayne John Ludwigs; wife, Leona; sister, Darlene Burley; brother, Leslie Ludwigs; and brother-in-law, Lester Vetos.

   He is survived by a brother, Lowell (Jan) Ludwigs; a sister, Eunice Vetos; sister-in-law, Marcene Ludwigs; and nephews and nieces.

   Blessed be his memory.