Edward Ruggles

Edward Elihu Ruggles, 96, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away Thursday March 18, 2010, at the Iowa Veterans home in Marshalltown Iowa.

Edward was born August 27, 1913, in Roscoe, South Dakota, the son of William Garfield and Lillian (Stephenson) Ruggles. He graduated from Anita High School in 1930. Ed worked for the CCC during the depression and joined the Army in April 1942. He served as a laboratory technician during the war and helped evacuate a concentration camp at the end of the war.


He married Betsy Rose Crawford on December 30, 1945. She passed away August 19, 1975. Together they had eight children.


Ed worked at Ruggles Grocery until 1963. He then worked as a meat cutter until about 1992 at several local grocers and Millers Locker.


He remarried to Mary Marie Chase Denny in 1985. They enjoyed helping with her grandchildren and attending church activities together.


Ed was active in the Anita Baptist Church until the late eighties and the Brayton Baptist Church after that. He was proud of his military service and was a member of the American Legion. He loved to watch his bird feeder, tend his honey bees, prune his apple trees and raise large gardens.


Edward is survived by seven sons: Jim Ruggles and wife Sherry of Beatrice, NE, Larry Ruggles and wife Kathy of Albuquerque, NM, Stephen Ruggles and wife Aimee of Anita, IA, Wes Ruggles and wife Kathy of Persia, IA, Phillip Ruggles of Phillip, SD, Tim Ruggles and wife Glenora of Round Rock, TX, Bryan Ruggles and wife Paula of Colorado Springs, CO; eleven grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren; as well as many step relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillian; his first wife Betsy; his second wife Mary; brothers, Joe and Millard; sisters, Esther and Ruth; and his daughter Jean Ann.


Funeral services will be Monday, March 22, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa. Visitation with family will be Sunday, March 21, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Anita. The family is having a lunch at 12:00 p.m., Monday, at the Anita Legion Hall prior to the funeral.


Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.