Steven Rucker Aug. 23, 1948 – Oct. 31, 2020

      Steven Rucker, age 72, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 at Jones Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness.

      Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2020 at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. Interment was in the St. John's Cemetery with Military Honors. Friends called at the church after  3 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Steven Rucker Scholarship Fund. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Steven and his family into their care.

      Surviving is his wife Dianna, two children, Nate (Tara) Rucker, Rachel (Matt) Cochran, three step-children, Drew (Heloisa) Ball, Emily (Johnny) Russ, Ryan (Lisa) Ball, seven grandchildren, Boedi and Anders Rucker, Daniel and Lucas Cochran, Roslynne and Memphis Russ, Teagan Ball, and a sister-in-law, Jean Rucker. He was preceded in death by his parents Fran and Bill Rucker and a brother, William Michael.

      Steven Earl Rucker was born Aug. 23, 1948 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the son of William and Frances Rasmuson Rucker. Steve graduated from Marion High School in 1966. He continued his education at the University of Iowa receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. Steve served in the United State Army during the Vietnam era, retiring after 20 years at the rank of Lt. Colonel. As a child, he was the primary inspiration to start the family's business, Marion Bait. He was employed at Equifax and AEGON in Cedar Rapids. Steve ended his working career in technology at Pearson, as a project manager for Basic Skills Testing. Steve married Dianna Boots on July 28, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Monticello. Steve retired from Pearson in 2013 but remained active in the community. Steve had always wanted to be a teacher, and in retirement worked as a substitute teacher for the Anamosa, Monticello and Springville Schools. He coached baseball and basketball at several different levels at Anamosa and Monticello and Linn Mar. When he wasn't coaching, he refereed for multiple sports. Steve was Dianna's assistant when she was doing a photo shoot or wedding. They worked together at the front gate at the Jones County Fair for many years and were the Grand Marshalls at a Monticello Homecoming Parade. Steve was active in his church, serving as an Elder at St. John's Lutheran Church. His best retirement job was taking his grandchildren fishing.