"Thor" sculpture at Decorah HS is dedicated

(Frst row, left to right): Martin Stalberger, Lee Ruen, George Ruen, Ron Ludeking, John Condon and Brad Johansen. (Second row, left to right):Chloe Meyer, Thomas Houdek, Diane Houdek and Kelly Ludeking

Decorah High School on Friday afternoon formally dedicated the new "Thor" sculpture at the High School Athletic Complex. 

The sculpture was designed and constructed by Kelly Ludeking, a 1991 Decorah High School graduate and well-known sculptor. It depicts the Norse God "Thor" as he wields his mighty hammer, "Mjoinir."

Ludeking says he made the sculpture as part of an effort to bring art to the community.  The sculpture uses farm machinery parts he got from Bodensteiner Implement, Windride Implement, Hawkeye Truck and Trailer, Buddenburg Farms, Bob Sersland Farm, Ron Ludeking Farm and the Clayton County Recycling Commission.

In addition, several student groups were involved in the project.  Students from John Condon's welding class worked with and helped Kelley Ludeking with the construction of Thor.  Students from Brad Johansen's botany class designed and installed the plantings at the Thor Sculpture site,

The cost of the sculpture was paid through donations from the John Houdek and Howard Ruen Memorial Funds through the Decorah Viking Athletic Booster Club, DHS Firesquad and DHS D-Club.  Funding for plantings at the site and at the new land bridge was made possible through a grant from Rockwell Collins.  Materials, supplies and/or equipment were received from Snyder Construction, Kirkeby Welding, Bob & Keith Sersland Farm, Windridge Implements, Bodensteiner Implement, Deere, Hawkeye Truck & Trailer, and Ron Ludeking Farm.

Kelly Ludeking and his sculpture

(First row, left to right): Thomas Houdek, Chad Kruger of Rockwell Collins, LeeRuen and Ron Ludeking. (Second row, left to right): Diane Houdek, George Ruen and Kelly Ludeking