Ralph Leo Nunn

URBANDALE — Ralph Leo Nunn passed away on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on May 10, 1923, in Neola, Iowa. Ralph grew up in Keystone, Iowa, and lived in a railroad depot where his father served as the station master. His father passed away in 1930, and he moved to Omaha, Neb., with his mother and older brother. Shortly after the move, Ralph’s mother passed away in 1936. Ralph then moved to Perry, Iowa, to live with his aunt and uncle. Ralph graduated from Perry High School in 1940 and continued his education at the University of Iowa for one year before serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force as Chief of Communications in the Solomon Islands in World War II. After the war, Ralph returned to Iowa City to finish his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and married Margaret Coleman, also from Perry.

In 1948, Ralph joined Maytag Corporation in Newton. During Ralph’s tenure at Maytag, he advanced from the copyrighting department to Vice President of Marketing and, in partner with Leo Burnett Advertising Agency, launched one of the most well-known national advertising campaigns, the Maytag “Ol’ Lonely Repairman,” the longest running real-life advertising character on network television. Including a 17-year span of serving on the Maytag Board of Directors, Ralph also served as Chairman for the Association of Home Appliance Manufactures, board member for the Newton Chamber of Commerce, Chairman for the First Congregational Church, a member of the professional advertising fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma and was active in the United Fund drive and Cub Scouts.

Ralph retired from Maytag in 1987 and moved to West Des Moines. During this time, Ralph volunteered for Plymouth Congregational Church, served as a lecturer for the business department at Drake University and enjoyed his time with his family. In 2002, Ralph’s wife, Margaret passed away. In the fall of 2003, Ralph married longtime friend, Glenis Lureman and they moved to Urbandale.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Love Nunn and Pearl Doyle, and older brother, James Nunn. He is survived by wife, Glenis Nunn, and three children, James Nunn (Rene) of St. Louis, Nancy Nunn of West Des Moines and Jerry Nunn of Bozeman, Mont. Ralph is survived by his grandchildren, Allison (Denny) Knolhoff of St. Louis, Brooke (Peter) Schultz of St. Louis, Samuel Burt of West Des Moines and Lauren Burt of Des Moines and three great-grandchildren. Ralph also is survived by his step-children, Chris (Tom) Pirog of New Jersey, David (Paula) Lureman of Mitchellville, Glenn (Lori) Lureman of Newton and Proctor Lureman of Des Moines.