Ludella Bultemeier

Ludella Bultemeier, 95, of New Haven, Indiana passed away Sunday morning, March 15, 2026 at her residence in New Haven, Indiana.

She was born on April 27, 1930 in Decatur, Indiana. She was the daughter of Charles Bultemeier and Clara (Buuck) Bultemeier. She married Verlin Bultemeier on July 2, 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble and he preceded her in death on October 25, 2017.

Ludella was a self-employed caterer and known for her delicious decorated cakes for over 15 years in the Hoagland and Fort Wayne area. She also assisted at Wyneken Lutheran School as a cook in the cafeteria for many years.

She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church-Bingen where she was active in the Ladies Aid, Ladies Guild, and the Cancer Stitching Pad group. She was also a member of the Hoagland Area Advancement Association (HAAA) and Project Linus, where she made blankets for hospital patients, infant thru elderly.

Ludella enjoyed crafting, playing cards, and bingo. She was a long-time polka dancer with her husband, Verlin and they were a fixture at countless Oktoberfest polka events. She took up golf in her fifties and achieved two hole-in-ones, one in Florida and one in Indiana, an accomplishment of which she was very proud! Verlin and Ludella enjoyed many of their retirement years living in Florida.

Survivors include son, Greg (Pam) Bultemeier of Decatur, Indiana; two daughters, Bev Oehler of Huntertown, Indiana, and Sandy (Ken) Slowik of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and brother, Waldo (Rosie) Bultemeier of Decatur, Indiana. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Corey (Shannon) Bultemeier, Jason (Kim) Bultemeier, Nathan (Kendra) Bultemeier, Stephanie Green, Derek (Jillian) Oehler, Dawn (Tony) Pruitt, Matthew (Katie) Freiburger, and Brett (Christine) Freiburger; a step-grandchild, Mitchell (Jamie) Slowik; and seventeen great –grandchildren Michael Bultemeier, Nola Bultemeier, Caleb Bultemeier, Lyla Bultemeier, Lily Bultemeier, Bailee Long, Reagan Long, Gaven Green, Cooper Oehler, Brody Pruitt, Chandler Pruitt, Ellie Pruitt, Theo Bultemeier, Charlotte Bultemeier, Beau Bultemeier, Emmett Freiburger, Ottilie Freiburger.

She was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Dylan Pruitt; three brothers Erwin (Jacqueline) (Goldine) Bultemeier, Arnold (Anita) Bultemeier, and Norbert (Jeanette) Bultemeier.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen with Pastor Peter Brock and Pastor Beret Steffen officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Bingen.

Family and friends will be received from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Preferred memorials are to St. John Lutheran Church Tanzania Mission or to Worship Anew.