Robert J. Ludvigsen
Robert J. “Bob” Ludvigsen of North Fond du Lac
passed away peacefully on January 17, completing a 91-year journey on Earth. A
World War II veteran and lifelong Wisconsin resident, Bob loved his family and
friends and never wavered in his faith. He was a permanent fixture at Apostolic
Christian Church of Fond du Lac and Wauwatosa, and devoted a great deal of his
life to reading God’s word and sharing his testimony. He is survived by his
wife of 70 years, Laraine (nee Anderson), and four adult children including
Randy, Lynn (Mike) Gradinjan, Les (Deb), and Mary (Dennis) George. Together,
the couple has nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Born in Clintonville, Wis., on March 15, 1927, Bob was
one of five children raised by Christ and Mary Ludvigsen. The family moved to
North Fond du Lac in his youth. Upon graduation from Horace Mann High School in
the mid-1940s, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 and served in Germany at the
close of the European campaign. Returning home in 1947, he courted his sweet
Rain, and the two married on May 29, 1948. They settled in a home they built
across the street from his parents’ house, and contentedly lived there their
entire marriage.
While he served as a medic in the Army and worked as a
police officer for a short time, Bob earned an honest living as a foundry
worker at Wells Manufacturing in Fond du Lac. He retired in 1992 after 40
years. He also worked as a janitor at Horace Mann High School and was a former
lamp lighter for the Northwestern Railroad. He enjoyed his Indian motorcycle and
rode it to Minnesota for his honeymoon.
Family was always important to the Ludvigsens, and there
were many Sunday afternoon lunches at the couple’s home, where the adults
watched the Green Bay Packers or listened to Bob Uecker call Milwaukee Brewers
games on the radio, while the grandkids played outside and in the creek that
runs alongside their house. Bob’s favorite pastimes including visiting the
infirmed at hospitals and nursing homes, helping his neighbors with odd jobs,
tinkering with his model trains and watching professional wrestling.
As the years passed and the memories grew, Bob spent more
time reflecting on his life and sharing inside jokes with his grandkids. He was
quick to tease and had a contagious smile. Surrounded by pictures of family near
and far, and living close enough to visit with the others, he was never alone.
Happiness was about roast chicken and dressing,
togetherness and ice cream — and in that, the family was blessed and rich.
The family will celebrate Bob’s full and complete life on
Friday, January 25, with visitation from 3:00 – 6:00 PM and a funeral service
at 6:00 PM at Uecker Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Avenue in Fond du Lac.
Interment will be at Ledgeview Memorial Park at 11:00 AM the following day.
While memorials will be graciously accepted, Bob was an
ardent supporter of Easterseals, and donations in his memory would be welcomed.
The family extends a special thank you to the entire team
at Aurora Hospice — especially Brittany, Jennifer, Kim, Michelle and Tina —
for their caring and compassionate assistance during Bob’s final days.
Guestbook and tribute wall may
be found by visiting ueckerwitt.com.