Richard "Pudd" Vander Velde

Rock Valley, IA: Richard “Pudd” Vander Velde, 91, of Rock Valley, died Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at Hegg Memorial Health Center in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 8 at 10:30 AM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Rock Valley with Pastors Kandi Anderson and Chris Godfredsen officiating. Following a luncheon, burial will be held at Peace Lutheran Cemetery of rural Sioux Center. Visitation, with the family present, will be Friday, July 7, from 5:30-7:30 PM at the church.

Richard (Pudd) Vander Velde was born in Rock Valley on October 12, 1925, to William and Katie (Vande Weerd) Vander Velde. He attended elementary and high school in Rock Valley. Pudd enlisted in the Navy on March 21, 1944 when he was 18 years old and did his basic training at Farragut, Idaho. He was on the U.S.S. Princeton aircraft carrier while it was on patrol in the Pacific Ocean when it was bombed and sunk on October 24, 1944. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy on June 9, 1946 he returned to Rock Valley and worked at the Rock Valley Lumber yard for many years.

Pudd was an avid sports fan and loved playing baseball on the Rock Valley town team in the 1950’s as a second baseman. His nickname, Pudd, was due to the baseball mitt he often carried in his back pocket. He married the love of his life, Evelyn Dierks, on June 27, 1954, at Peace Lutheran Church and became a co-owner with John Bauman of South Side Service Standard Station (where Pump n Pak is currently located). He later opened Pudd’s Our Own Hardware store located on Main Street. After ten years, he sold the business and worked at AEA4 at River Valley as an aide and bus driver. He retired in January 1987.

Pudd was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, he was a member of the VFW, and on the original planning committee for the Rock Valley hospital. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing, all sports and especially his Cubs, a die-hard fan. He was devoted to his family and loved watching his children and grandchildren in all their school events and sporting activities.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Evelyn, his three children: daughter, Kristi Bult (Jerry) of Hartington, NE, son, Nathan (Sue) Vander Velde of Appleton, MN, and son, Todd (Karma) Vander Velde of Rock Valley. Pudd had 8 grandchildren, Shelly (Steve) Schirm, Brady Vander Velde, Troy (Anna) Bult, Mark (Laura) Bult, Megan Bult, Jessica (Tyler) Glanzer, Lindsey (John) Hellinga, and Samantha (fiancé Mike Cliff) Vander Velde; and 8 great grandchildren, Isabel, Landon, and Lane Schirm, Zyila and Patrick Bult, and Savannah, Owen, and Emmitt Glanzer.

Pudd was preceded in death by his parents, brother John (Rolene) Vander Velde, and sister Betty (Jim) Bartels.

Visitation

Friday July 7, 2017 , 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Rock Valley

Funeral Service

Saturday July 8, 2017 , 10:30 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Rock Valley