William “Bill” Paul Ruhnke

William “Bill” Paul Ruhnke, passed away March 27, 2020, doing what he loved, mowing the lawn.

Bill was born Oct. 25, 1941, in Eldora, Iowa, to Herbert Frederick and Louise Wilhelmina (Ziesman) Ruhnke. He was a farm boy, attending Goose Creek country school during his elementary years. (Walking 5 miles both ways uphill in the snow – really, he did. He showed us the path he walked.) Bill graduated from Eldora High School, class of 1959 before starting at the U.S. Naval Academy.

He met Laura Lea Cable at the tender age of 5, they married Feb. 7, 1960, and had just celebrated their 60th anniversary. They first lived in Eldora, moved to Des Moines, before finally moving to Florissant, Mo., in 1964.

Bill worked for Northrup King, then the Home Insurance Company, Countrywide Services, International Managers Inc, and lastly Specialty Claims Management before retiring. He worked in insurance claims and claim management for over 50 years.

Bill loved to travel, especially family vacations. He was always able to convince Laura and the kids to go on “one last family vacation.”

In retirement, Bill pestered Laura, gardened, took over the laundry, read, did Sudoku, and after years of refusing a cat or dog to his children, adopted cats.

Bill and Laura had two children, daughter Charm Naomi (La Salle, Ill.) and son Christopher Thomas (Florissant, Mo.).

Bill is survived by his wife Laura, their children, grandson Daniel Christopher Ruhnke (Creve Coeur, Mo.), sister Mary (Marlyn) Peet of Colorado Springs, sisters-in-law Ann (Richard) Roll and Neva (Stanley) Granzow (both of Eldora), nieces and nephews, numerous cousins (especially Melvin Nehring his partner in crime at Goose Creek School), and Tuffy his cat.

Bill was cremated, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Eldora Cemetery. A lunch (11:30 a.m.) follows at the St. Paul Lutheran Church.

 

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