Timothy Ludwig
Timothy John Ludwig, 64, of Marcus, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Mill, South Carolina, on May 15, 2025, surrounded by his immediate family. After a courageous two-year battle with cancer, our beloved dad experienced a rapid decline and is no longer with us.
A mass for family and friends will be held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, Iowa (609 W 10th Street) at 10:30am on Tuesday, May 27. The service followed by a burial at Holy Name Cemetery in Marcus, Iowa (102 N Elm Street), where his remains will be laid to rest beside his father, Kenneth (Kenny) Ludwig. We will have a celebration of life closer to home in the coming months.
Tim was born on October 5, 1960, in LeMars, Iowa, to Maxine and Kenny Ludwig. He graduated from Marcus High School in 1979, where he played football, golfed, and famously broke his arm attempting a trampoline-assisted dunk. He was brilliant, spirited, and mischievous — a combination that made him endlessly entertaining and deeply loved.
After high school, Tim began working at IBP, where he met the love of his life, Cathy (née Tonner). They were married on March 26, 1983, in LeMars during a massive blizzard and set the scene for a story that became a family legend. Over their 42 years together, they raised three children: Alixis, Taylor, and Kelsey; two puppies: Teddy and Coco; and later, grand-pups Dutch and Luce. Tim and Cathy shared a love of travel, visiting all 50 states, sampling new wines, and enjoying countless dates at their favorite spots.
Never one to shy away from a new opportunity, Tim moved the family to four states in four years (South Dakota, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina) before planting roots in Charlotte. He loved to drive and made cross-country trips feel like a familiar adventure: from Charlotte to Orlando overnight so we could wake up in Disney World, 24-hour road trips to Iowa to visit family, or a one-day round trip from Delaware to Chapel Hill to “spider-proof” Kelsey’s apartment.
Some of his favorite memories came from long-standing friendships and workplace comradery, especially those formed during his decades in the credit card industry. He cherished golf trips with Mike, Bob, and Ned, attending the Masters and golfing at St. Andrew’s with our uncle Brad, and taking Cathy to the Super Bowl.
More than anything, he loved surprising people. When Taylor was in high school, dad once picked him up without warning for an impromptu trip to Atlanta, no explanation, just surprise World Series tickets so Taylor could see Tom Glavine pitch. That was Tim: spontaneous, generous, and always ready to turn an ordinary day into something unforgettable
Even as his health declined, he looked forward to weekly dinner dates with our mom, Tuesday lunch breaks with Dan at Kid Shelleen’s, daily chats with MJ, and annual golfing reunions with his buddies. After his second round of chemo, his goal was to regain enough strength to swing a golf club in time for the September trip.
For most people, the phrase “No one on their deathbed ever says, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at work’” might be true — just not for our dad. Tim genuinely loved his job and his second family at Chase. Even after his diagnosis, he remained dedicated to his work, filing three U.S. patents in the months following his esophageal cancer diagnosis.
He found joy in quiet, simple pleasures: spotting deer in meadows, watching cardinals fly or perch, chatting with his mother Maxine every Sunday morning, and ‘shopping’ with grandma and his kids at the casino. He was a passionate Minnesota Vikings fan and loved any film starring Denzel Washington. His early morning “Wakey, Wakey” chats with Alixis remained a cherished ritual until the very end.
In our family, Tim was the glue that held everything together. His wisdom, generosity, and unwavering support were a constant source of strength and stability. He would go to the ends of the earth to make sure we were safe and comfortable. We are completely heartbroken to lose him, and we will carry his spirit with us always.
Tim is survived by his mother Maxine, devoted wife Cathy, his children Alixis, Taylor, and Kelsey, and son-in-law Rich. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenny, and our loyal first dog, Teddy.
We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Laura Musselwhite and her team at Atrium, as well as LaVetta, Beth, and the other compassionate clinicians at VIA Health Partners for their exceptional care and support for our dad.