Idella Ludwig

Dell's parents, Irene and Edward Heath, brother Arthur and sister Dorothy, moved from the city to Park Ridge in 1925 immediately building the family home. The Great Depression years were hard times but life in Park Ridge relied on vegetable gardens, the backyard chicken coop and family. Life was more rural and simpler then with Dell chasing her collie Champ, playing in the municipal park, skating, swimming and fishing in Electric Lake.

Dell graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1946 where she was active as a cheerleader. Her father, Edward, passed away two years prior to graduation followed by her mother Irene (95) in 1984.

After graduation, Dell commuted to the city working at AT+T where she met her future husband, Robert O. Ludwig. They were married in 1951 at the stone church, St. Paul's Episcopal, on Grand Ave. in Montvale where she was baptized.

Between 1952 and 1963, 3 sons and 2 daughters were born, Bob, David, Gail, Leslie and Peter. The family grew again between 1983 and 1994 with 8 grandchildren Lisa, Cheryl, Garrett, Dustin, Alexandra, David, Matthew and Thomas. 8 great grandchildren rounded out the family; Justin, Molly, Nora, Natalie, Naomi, Leon, Noah and Penelope with 2 more on the way.

Dell worked for the Park Ridge School Board of Education in various capacities including the Special Ed Dept before retiring after 25 years. She took special delight volunteering at the Park Ridge Library teaching English as a Second Language.

Dell and Bob relied heavily on St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Montvale, for strength, friendship and guidance throughout their lives. The Altar Guild and ushering were a regular part of every Sunday service followed by selling coupons as a church fundraiser.

A large family gave Dell great happiness and enjoyment even if all were seldom together coming from ME, DE, PA, SC, TX, CA and locally from Park Ridge. On holidays the supper table often extended from the dining room into the kitchen.

A birthday never was forgotten for any family member and most were celebrated with supper and your chosen favorite homemade birthday cake. Decades of Outer Banks, NC. vacations and camping were often the time to gather the family for beach time, boating, fishing and meals with many chairs around the table.

Dell's home was always welcoming and the place she loved the best surrounded by nature, her favorite trees, bushes and windblown leaves. Inside the dining room, a wall was covered with family portraits and pencil marks in the corner measuring the height of each family member from toddler till grown.

A full, happy and content life, Dell passed away after 96 years never wishing to live anywhere else. Her last words expressed how thankful she was for her husband, family and her parents.

Dell and Bob remained soul mates sharing every day of their adult lives. They will now spend eternity together at the Westwood Cemetery after a private graveside ceremony.

Donation may be made in Dell and Bob's memory to their favorite charities; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.