Ward was born on May 24, 1915, in Chester Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, to Fred and Emma Hink Puls. He was raised on the family farm, attended rural school, and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1933. On February 22, 1939, he was married to Dorothy Mae Box at Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. The couple farmed near Malcom for many years and moved to their farm in Sheridan Township in 1983. Besides operating a grain farm he also raised Angus cattle. He retired in 1988. He was a life member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and was also a member of the Farm Bureau and the Eagles Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Puls of rural Grinnell; one son, Donald Puls of rural Grinnell; and a special friend, Dick Flanagan of Warwick, Rhode Island. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin daughters, Martha and Mary Puls, who died in infancy; two sisters, Edna Badger and Leona Puls; and two brothers, Delmar Puls and Floyd Puls. Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church.