Ralph Leo Pudenz, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Arlington Place in Pocahontas, Iowa.  Ralph was born on February 23, 1950, in Carroll, Iowa. He was born the second son of Raymond and Bernetta (Naberhaus) Pudenz.

Ralph attended grade school at St. Columbkille's in Varina and graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Fonda in 1968.  After high school, he joined his father in the hog and farming operation.  In 1969 Ralph was drafted into the military and served in Vietnam with the U.S.  Army.  A few months after arriving in Vietnam, Ralph was injured on April 26, 1970, when his personnel carrier was destroyed by a roadside mine. He was honorably discharged from the military after recuperating from his injuries in Japan and at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Following his military service, Ralph returned to the family farm where he settled and farmed with his father. In April of 2023, Ralph moved to Arlington Place in Pocahontas.

Ralph was currently a member of the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church but for most of his life he was a member of St. Columbkille in Varina, Iowa.  He was a member of the American Legion in Varina and the Knights of Columbus in Fonda.  Ralph was a model train enthusiast, and he enjoyed hours of designing track layouts and creating model railroad scenery.

Those left to cherish his memory include his siblings: Ronald (Carolyn) of Pocahontas, Marita Wile of Dallas Center and Patricia (Karl) Hollman of Burnside, and sister-in-law, Cindy Pudenz, of Storm Lake. Other relatives include nieces and nephews: Greg Pudenz, Joe Pudenz, Anne Quandt, Adam Wile, Chad Wile, Jackie Luther, Christine Pudenz, Brandon Pudenz, Brian Hollman, Steven Hollman, and Emily Hillman.

Preceding Ralph in death are his parents, Raymond and Bernetta (Naberhaus) Pudenz, brother Melvin, niece Valerie, and brother-in-law, Rick Wile.