Sudenga, George W. "Bill" 1938-2012

SUDENGA, SWALVE, RYPKEMA, MEYER, LOWMAN, LABANOWSKI, SPROCK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/22/2024 at 12:51:05

George W. "Bill" Sudenga
1938-2012
Marshalltown, IA

George W. (Bill) Sudenga, 73, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away June 30, 2012 at the Iowa River Hospice Home. Services will be held on Monday, July 9, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA. A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pursel Davis Funeral and Cremation Care, 405 West Main Street, Marshalltown, IA. Online condolences may be sent to www.vogelfuneralhomes.com.

Bill was born on December 23, 1938 in Sibley, Iowa to Irene Swalve Sudenga and Willard Sudenga. He graduated from George, Iowa High School in 1957 and attended the University of Iowa where he received both his B.S. in business administration and his J.D. in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army as a Captain from 1964-1966. Bill practiced law in Marshalltown from 1966-2011 when he retired due to his illness.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Rypkema in 1959. Bill often said that he knew Eileen was "the one" after hearing her play the trombone next to him in the George High School band. They resided in Iowa City, Maryland, and St. Louis before making their home in Marshalltown. They were blessed with three daughters, Lisa, Sara and Kelly. Bill loved his family, and enjoyed nothing more than watching them participate in Bobcat athletics and later, spending time with them at Star Lake, Minnesota. One year, Bill saw more than sixty girls' basketball games at Miller Junior High School and MHS.

He loved his seven grandchildren: Eric and Maggie Meyer, Abby and Kate Lowman, and Jane, Caroline and Paul Labanowski. He was a great friend to many, and kept in close touch with long time friends from George High School, the University of Iowa, and his extended family.

Bill was a baseball fan, enjoying many years watching the St. Louis Cardinals first with his father, and later, with Eileen and the girls. He loved the practice of law and working, and enjoyed his co-workers and helping his clients. Bill would get up early, head into work, and meet with his clients over a cup of coffee and a long conversation about crops, the latest community news, and family sports. He loved to cruise with friends, dance with Eileen, listen to music of all kinds, snow mobile and ski with old friends, play bridge, canoe in the Minnesota Boundary Waters, and travel. Bill was also a car aficionado, having grown up as the son of a Ford dealer. He could flash photos of all his past cars in his wallet, and loved nothing more than blasting his favorite song with the top down on his car. He was also passionate about history, particularly the Civil War and World War II, and would amaze his family with his knowledge of trivia and his ability to cite arcane facts about battleships and generals.

Bill was a proud member of the Marshalltown community, had many friends, and enjoyed spending time over lunch with his lunch group. He was a member of the Iowa Bar Association, Elmwood Country Club, First Presbyterian Church and the Rotary Club, serving for thirty years. His favorite community project was Paint-A-Thon, where he served as the chair for ten years. He loved being in the company of people and treated everyone he met as a friend. He will be greatly missed by his children, family, and friends. At the time of his passing he said to his family, "I've had a great life. I'm a very lucky guy."

He leaves behind to mourn, his wife of fifty-two years, Eileen; his daughters Lisa (Fred Meyer), Sara (Chris Lowman), and Kelly (Larry Labanowski), seven grandchildren: Eric and Maggie Meyer; Abby and Kate Lowman; and Jane, Caroline, and Paul Labanowski; his sister, Dianne Sudenga Sprock, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene Swalve Sudenga and Willard George Sudenga.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to Iowa River Hospice Home at 502 Plaza Heights Road, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

Published by the Des Moines (IA) Register on Jul. 6, 2012.