Loren Charles Zaruba

Loren Zaruba, 73, of Charlotte, Iowa, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, and from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, at Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, at Twigg Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Brethren Cemetery, Panora.

Loren Charles Zaruba was born January 16, 1951, in Yale, Iowa, the only child of Gilbert and Nellie (Newlin) Zaruba. He grew up on the heritage farm where his only child now resides with his family. Loren graduated from YJB in 1969 and Central College in Pella in 1973. In August 1975 Loren met his future wife, Ellen. It was on a blind date, so blind that Ellen didn't know she had a date until 10 minutes after she arrived. They were married on September 25, 1976 in Jefferson. They made their home in rural central Iowa, later moving to the DeWitt area in 1979, living in the country north of DeWitt. After retirement, Loren returned to college, receiving his MBA from Loras College in Dubuque in 2015. Loren and Ellen have one child, Charles, who lives with his wife Stephanie and two beautiful granddaughters on the family heritage farm. Loren felt so very blessed to have spent the last ten weeks of his life with his family on the farm where he grew up. Ellen preceded him in death on November 23, 2022.

Loren loved the outdoors, dogs, gardening, cooking, and always looked forward to the yearly extended family fishing trip to Lake Winnibigoshish. He was active in the Clinton County Hunter Education program and the Iowa Youth Hunter Education Challenge for many years. In retirement, Loren enjoyed taking his therapy dogs to retirement homes, the library, and numerous other events.

Loren is survived by his son Charles (Stephanie) Zaruba and granddaughters, Abigail and Emma, and two cousins.

In addition to his wife, Loren was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the “Loren Zaruba Memorial” c/o Farmer’s State Bank, P.O. Box 110, Yale, Iowa 50277. Funds will be used in support of the Iowa Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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