Zachary Allen Ruroden

Zachary Allen Ruroden, age 40, of Newell, Iowa, owner of Fritcher Abstract in Storm Lake, Iowa died October 31, 2022 at his residence. A visitation will take place from 1-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. Zachary Allen Ruroden was born December 3, 1981 to Mike and Teresa (Pape) Ruroden in Decorah, Iowa. He was baptized as an infant at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. In 2000, Zach graduated from North Fayette High School in West Union, Iowa. In 2012, Zach purchased a historic Storm Lake building for the home of his business, Fritcher Abstract. He had a love and respect of all things historic and transformed his new office space into a work of art, achieving the perfect balance of old and new. He earned honors from the city of Storm Lake for his renovations of the building. In 2015, Zach purchased G.T. Murphy Abstract Co. in New Hampton, Iowa. Zach worked in the title industry for over twenty-three years. He was an Iowa Land Title Association (ILTA) Certified Land Title Professional (CLTP) earning his designation in November 2016. Zach was awarded an American Land Title Association (ALTA) National Title Professional (NTP) on January 1, 2019. He was the first Iowan to receive an ALTA NTP, where he was recognized for his years of hard work, extensive experience, and education advocacy. Zach held various leadership roles throughout his career including Abstracting Standards Committee Secretary, NC Regional Vice President, NW Regional Vice President, and President of the Iowa Land Title Association. He also served on numerous committees including the Abstracting Standards Committee, Abstracting Standards Sub Committee Book Review, Public Relations Committee, Legislative Committee, and the Title Plant Inspection Committee. Zach provided countless title plant inspections across the state and was instrumental in increasing the number of ILTA Certified Title Plants. As President of the ILTA, Zach represented the association at various neighboring land title associations’ annual conventions. He was also a presenter for the Iowa Title Guaranty. Zach was very honored and proud of all his accomplishments. He will forever be remembered for his dedication to the title industry and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Left to cherish Zach’s memory are his fiance’: Kelley Cejka; mother: Teresa Weinschenk (Lavern Jr.); father: Mike Ruroden; grandparents: Allen and Wanda Pape; Avis Ruroden; brother: Colt Ruroden: nieces and nephews: Kaden, Remington, and Alaynah Ruroden; step-siblings: Brayden Weinschenk; Brittni Redmond; Brandon Pape; his fiance’s parents: John and Kyle Cejka; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Zach is preceded in death by his grandfather, Floyd Ruroden and cousin, Bruce Balk.

Zachary Allen Ruroden

December 3, 1981 - October 31, 2022