Michael Ray Ludwigs

HAWADRDEN, IOWA ~ Michael Ray Ludwigs, 62, of Hawarden, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Hillcrest Health Care Services in Hawarden.

   No services are planned at this time for Michael. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

   Michael Ray Ludwigs was born May 1, 1961, in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Leslie Raymond Ludwigs and Marcene Audrey (Schwiesow) Ludwigs. He received his GED and graduated from Western Iowa Tech Community College with a degree in Police Science.

   Michael started his police career with the Hawarden Police Department. He then worked for Sioux County Sheriff’s Department, first in dispatch, then as a deputy, and later as a jailer. He was an officer in Waukee, Iowa for 7 years and then the Chief of Police in Lake Park, Iowa, then in Manning, Iowa, before moving to Eldora, Iowa. Michael was the Chief of Police for Eldora until he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018. Michael handled the diagnosis with faith and dignity and often would tell his mother, “It is what it is, Mom, God will guide us through it.”

   Michael loved to travel, and site see. He loved all of his friends and always seemed to know someone in every city that he stopped in. Michael was a person of strong faith.

   He is lovingly survived by his mother, Marcene of Hawarden; his older sister, Lea, also of Hawarden; a nephew, Dustin (Alexandria) Smith; great-nephews and great-niece, Christian, Trinity, Matthew, and Liam; great-great-nephew, Bryson; 2 uncles, Lowell (Jan) Ludwigs and Mel Schwiesow; aunt, Eunice Vetos; and many cousins.

   Michael was preceded in death by his father, Leslie; great-nephew, Timothy; and many aunts and uncles.