Palmer Ruffridge

Palmer Ruffridge, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 15, 2013, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. David Sorenson presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977 of Decorah. Friends may call after 1:00 p.m., at the church on Monday afternoon. Palmer Burdette Ruffridge was born on March 18, 1926, the son of Frank and Cora (Barth) Ruffridge on the family farm near Locust, Iowa. Palmer was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust and confirmed at the Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah. Palmer attended country school and Decorah High School. He served in the US Navy, during World War II, from 1943-1946, in the South Pacific. Palmer was united in marriage to Arla Smorstad on November 10, 1946, at the Decorah Lutheran Church. He returned to Decorah and worked as a parts clerk at Standard Battery until he retired in 1988. Palmer loved to play cards, do jig saw puzzles, travel and to joke around with all. Palmer is survived by his wife: Arla Ruffridge, Decorah, IA. Three sons: Dennis (Pat) Ruffridge, Cresco, IA; Dean (Pam) Ruffridge, San Juan Capistrano, CA; and Paul (Michele) Ruffridge, Madeira Beach, FL. Grandchildren: Amy (Eric) Lensing, Tara (Dan) Stoddard, Erik (Stephanie) Ruffridge, Janna (Ryan) Leighty, and Jon (Caroline) Ruffridge. Step-grandchildren: Adam (LeNae) Schwickerath, Nathan (Jami) Schwickerath and Amanda (Brad) Trask. Great grandchildren: Alexa, Ashlyn, Aidan, Kyra, Maxwell, Jylien, Gybson, Carson, Lauren, Molly, and Aubrey. Five step-grandchildren. Two sisters: Fern Dungey, New Hampton, IA; and Virginia (Eldon) Nelson, Portage, WI, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. Palmer was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Cora (Barth) Ruffridge. Four brothers: Norman (Neoma) Ruffridge, Orville (Dottie) Ruffridge, Curtis (Dorothy) Ruffridge, Gordon Ruffridge. One sister: Harriet (George) Brom.