Dan Ludwig

Services for Florence resident Dan Ludwig, who died Feb. 22, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, were at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28 at Florence Christian Church, led by Pastor Kirk Rehment of Gracepoint Church, Peabody.

Dan’s life began Dec. 12, 1958, in Marion. He was son of Ronald “Bunk” and Kathleen (Taylor) Ludwig.

He was a 1976 graduate of Marion High School, where he played defensive end on the football team. Dan went on to Butler County Community College and started on the football team at Butler as a defensive end.

Dan was owner of Ludwig Truck Lines in Florence, continuing a 100-year tradition of trucking in the family.

He was united in marriage to the former Cathy Douglas Jantzen on July 21, 2018, at the Christian Church of Florence. She survives.

Dan served his community as a board member for the Florence Community Foundation and on the Florence City Council.

His younger days growing up in Florence were a bit more adventurous as he, his brother, and a friend might have been responsible for a house burning down or the endless taunting of a neighbors’ pet raccoon.

Dan loved to eat out and attended lots of his nephews’, nieces’, and step-grandchildren’s sporting events. He also was known as Santa or the Easter Bunny during holidays around Florence.

His greatest joy was his family. Dan is survived by his wife, Cathy, of Florence; his father, Ronald “Bunk” Ludwig of Florence; daughter Brandy Cross of Missouri; step-children Jeremy Gossen (and wife Michele), Brian Rice (and wife Andrea), and Ben Jantzen (and wife Dallas); grandchildren Colton, Cade, Cale, Barrett, Collins, MacKenzie, and Cole; brother Douglas Ludwig of Florence; sisters Tawnya Sokoll (and husband Steve) of Wichita and Rolana Heidebrecht (and husband Scott) of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

His mother, Kathleen, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Florence Community Foundation or Gracepoint Church, Peabody. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Dan at www.yazelmeglifh.com.