Robert Rudebeck

Robert Karl Rudebeck, 82, of Buckingham, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at UnityPoint Health-Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, while under UnityPoint Hospice. Visitation for Robert will be held on Sunday, October 6th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-French-Hand Chapel, 409 Clark Street, Reinbeck, IA. The funeral service for Robert will be held on Monday, October 7th at 10:30 AM at the Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-French-Hand Chapel. Interment will follow services at the Buckingham Cemetery in Buckingham. Following the burial, the family invites those in attendance to join them for lunch at the North Tama Activity Center, 212 N. Main St., Traer, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family and messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Robert was born on June 24, 1937, in Waverly, IA, to his parents Charles & Jesse (Lawrence) Rudebeck. As a young child, Robert grew up in Bremer County, IA, living near Horton, IA for many years, then the family relocated to the Hudson and Gladbrook areas. In March of 1954, his family bought the family farm south of Traer. Robert graduated from Traer High School with the class of 1955. On October 22, 1958, Robert was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ethel Ludvicek at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Traer. The couple were blessed with 4 children. After high school, Robert began his lifelong farming career. He alongside his wife Ethel and their children, raised livestock including cattle and hogs and planted hay, corn and beans. The Rudebeck family was mostly known for their dairy farming. They also raised chickens and geese, the geese being the most ‘interesting’ to work with. After the family raised and had their geese butchered, people couldn’t stop raving about the quality of the meat, some being the best people had ever tasted!

In addition to farming, Robert was also very mechanical, fixing tractors (John Deere of course!). After his retirement in 1986 due to health problems, Robert continued to do a little farming and continued working on tractors. He discovered Ebay at this time, where he would buy tractor parts and other interesting things, his family would say. He was a member of the 2-Cylinder Tractor Club, enjoyed attending farm auctions and tractor shows, and he loved going on tractor rides. Robert was able to enjoy his last tractor ride just this past summer, at the WMT Tractor Cade in Cresco, with a very special driver, his grandson Michael. He enjoyed attending county fairs, his favorite being the Clay County Fair. He was also a member of Farm Bureau and the NE Iowa Classic Chevy Club.

Above all, Robert was a true family man. He doted on his precious grandchildren and was even able to be called ‘great-grandpa’. He attended all his grandkids Christmas programs, band concerts and sporting events. Although his passing leaves his family heartbroken, their memories of him will bring them laughter and comfort in the days ahead. He will be dearly missed by all those he leaves behind.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ethel Rudebeck of Buckingham; children Denise Rudebeck and Gwyn (David) Edwards both of Monroe, IA, Robert Paul (Tina) Rudebeck and Holly (Brian) Frisbie, both of Buckingham, IA; 4 grandchildren Payge Edwards, Christopher (Jenny) Rudebeck and Hally & Michael Frisbie; great-granddaughter Clara June Rudebeck. He rejoins in heaven his parents; 3 sisters Eva (Bob) Crooks, Ruth (Harvey) Schwartz and Ellen (Lawrence) Hess and brother Ray Rudebeck; great-grandchildren Henry & Audrey Rudebeck.