Dorothy M. Ruden

Dorothy M. Ruden, 95, of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Bernard, Iowa, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025.
Friends and family may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday January 17, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a parish wake service at 3:45 p.m. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday January 18, 2025, at the Church of the Nativity with Rev. Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Dorothy was born on August 10, 1929, the daughter of Anthony and Mary (Johnson) Fischer. She grew up on the family farm on Fischer Road by the Twelve Mile House. 
She was united in marriage to Eldon J. Ruden on August 28, 1951, at Holy Family Catholic Church, New Melleray, by Rev. Placid McGee. Together they farmed in the Bernard area before moving to Dubuque. Along with farming she worked at several Dubuque businesses including the Dubuque Packing Co. and Georgia Pacific. 
 Dorothy is survived by her children Dave (Rita) Ruden, Joyce Giannakouros, Dennis Ruden, her 14 Grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, a brother-in-law Dick Strohmeyer and two sisters-in-law Doris and Rita Fischer. 
She was preceded in death by her husband Eldon, son Jeff “Jeep” Ruden, daughter Jane Ruden, son-in-law George Giannakouros, her parents Anthony and Mary, siblings Donald (Del) Fischer, Bill (Ann) Fischer, Marie (Alfred) Kass, Jack Fischer, Rosemary Strohmeyer, Paul Fischer, Albert (Vicky) Fischer, Earl (Mary) Fischer, Donald (Del) Fischer, Bernadine Krozaizl. 
The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Park Place and Hospice of Dubuque especially Tami, Nicole, and Amber, along with Dr. Andrea Ries for all the loving care. 
 

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