David Ludwig

David Ludwig age 70, of Fort Atkinson, IA, died on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the St. Clements Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2022, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Tuesday morning. David Martin Ludwig was born on February 5, 1952, the son of Martin and Alice (Stapleton) Ludwig. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2018 and he lived well beyond the prognosis for this disease. He died peacefully on April 9, 2022 at the age of 70 years. He attended St. Wenceslaus grade school, South Winneshiek High School and Loras College in Dubuque. He farmed with his brother Bill and Uncle Joe on the Ludwig heritage farm west of Spillville. David was also the manager of the Inwood in Spillville for several years. Dave had many varied interests; he especially loved singing and experienced many fulfilling years as a member of the Fusion singing group. He also belonged to the theatre group and country road players, where he directed and acted in many productions. He served on the Winneshiek County Conservation Board, was active in the Jaycee’s and the civic improvement association. Dave regularly participated in the Fort Atkinson Rendezvous Days. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Church. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and the Iowa Hawkeyes and was an avid fan of the Olympics. In his younger days, he played on the local basketball, softball, bowling and baseball teams and also served as an umpire. Other interests included, photography, stamp collecting and setting off fireworks. Dave is survived by his brother Bill (Linda) Ludwig, Spillville, IA. Sisters: Mary Holthaus, Spillville, IA and Ellen (Dan) O’Connell, Bankston, IA. Six nieces and nephews: Jason (Heidi) Holthaus, Karla (Abe) Sweeney, Shar (Jamie) Hughes, Anne (Justin) Sloan, Patrick O’Connell and Michael O’Connell. He was preceded in death by his parents: Alice and Martin Ludwig. Uncles: Joe Ludwig, Ed Ludwig, Bill Stapleton and Jim Stapleton. Aunts: Celia Herold, Agnes Ludwig and Vi Ludwig.