David P. Ludden, 47, of Grinnell, died on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Grinnell with Rev. Steve Witt officiating. Music will be provided by Marilyn Kriegel, organist and St. Mary's Choir. Casket Bearers will be Troy Dillon, Steve Fenske, John German, Chris Grundler, Doug Kies and Troy Kingery. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell beginning 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. The Ludden family will be present at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, PALS of Grinnell or to your favorite charity and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. David was born on November 6, 1970, in Des Moines to James and Cynthia Carter Ludden. He was raised in Spencer and Grinnell and graduated with the Class of 1989 from Grinnell High School. He also attended William Penn University, Des Moines Area Community College and the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute. Dave lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving to Davenport, Iowa. David loved the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Bears, sports activities in general, fantasy football, good food and the community of Grinnell. He was a Civil War buff and could name all the generals, battles and their results. He was an expert on movies and normally won movie trivia conversations. David was very much his mother's son and they possessed similar personalities. They enjoyed the same jokes and activities, and they even shared the same health issues. Survivors include his father and step-mother, James and Betty Ludden of Grinnell; and his sister, Dana (Mark) Ostrander of Ankeny. He was preceded in death by his mother, Cindy Ludden in 1990; his infant sister, April Ludden; his maternal grandparents, Dwight and Jeanne Carter; and his paternal grandparents, John and Lorene Ludden. He will be missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Rest in peace, David. We are so happy for you. Your spirit is free now.