Ronald N. Anderson
June 24, 1927 ~ January 19, 2014
Ronald N. Anderson, age 86, of Lawler, Iowa passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
Ronald Norman Anderson was born June 24, 1927 to Alfred and Gena (Hagen) Anderson on the family farm in rural New Hampton. He received his education in rural country school before graduating from New Hampton High School in 1946. After graduating, Ronald farmed with his father before enlisting in the US Navy on September 13, 1950. During the Korean Conflict he served in the Pacific Rim aboard the USS Menard. On July 30, 1954 Ronald received his honorable discharge. When he returned home he worked for Oliver’s in Charles City for a short time before he began farming on his family’s century farm. On November 6, 1955, Ronald was united in marriage to JoAnne Kala of Spillville at the Calmar Lutheran Church, Calmar,IA and to this union six children were born; two sons and four daughters. He served on the New Hampton School Board for eight years. Ronald was lovingly known as the neighborhood carpenter and specialized in splicing hay ropes. On March 6, 1995, Ronald’s wife passed away. He was then united in marriage to Kathleen Roberson-Ptacek on March 23, 1996. The couple wed at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, Iowa. Ronald remained always active on the family farm.
He was a lifelong faithful member of Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church and served in many offices. Ronald was also a member of the Alta Vista VFW – Paul Johann Post # 4069. He enjoyed coffee time at Jerico Jo’s, was an avid Cubs fan and history buff. He enjoyed a good book, especially a Western, and a good meal. Farming and especially his family were his pride and joy. Blessed be his memory.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Ptacek) Anderson of New Hampton; his children, Nancy (Joe) Alden of Hudson, IA; Gene (Susie) Anderson of Lawler,IA; Mark Anderson of Cedar Rapids, IA; Kimberly (Dan) O’Brien of Ridgeway, IA, Tracy Anderson of St. Charles, MN and Shirley (Dean) Hubka of Cresco, IA; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; his stepchildren, Sharon (Rick) Krahn of Eyota, MN, Dale (Debbie) Ptacek of Lime Springs, IA, Mark (Luann Halvorson) Ptacek of Lawler, David (Barb) Ptacek of Cedar Rapids, IA and Andy (Lauren Danielson) Ptacek of Vancouver, WA; 11 step-grandchildren; 5 step great-grandchildren; his sisters, Geraldine Munson of Madison, WI and Lana (John) Tapken of Marion, IA; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Thompson of Calmar, IA and Virginia (Paul) Pavlovec of Decorah, IA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnne ; his parents, Alfred and Gena; his brother, Alton Gene; his mother-in-law, Katherine (James) Koshatka , father-in-law, Joseph Kala, and brothers -in-law Paul Munson, Robert “Bob” Kala and Einer Thompson.
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Anderson Family, Ronald was a great person when I worked at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab. Center; I always liked visiting with him. He was a great person. He was a great person. May he rest in peace. Ronald was a great person. Jeff, Rose, Stephanie, Emily, and Justin Nibaur.
I have many wonderful memories of great times with the Anderson Family, Ronald was a great great man, in many ways he was like the father i lost many years ago. He was loved by all who knew him and will be in my heart forever. I will treasure my memories. My prayers are with all of the Andersons!
Love, Mary Anderson
My sympathy to Anderson family and also to Kathy. Enjoyed visiting with Ronald and Kathy. Nice people.
Marge Ludwig (friend of Kathy’s)
Our condolences to the Anderson family. We enjoyed our conversations when Mr. Anderson came to the library. He always had positive attitude even on days that we knew he was facing challenges. Share your stories about him with your friends and family.
Ron at the morning coffee get together in Jerico.
Thanks Mary! Your kind words mean a LOT!
Big hugs to you all. Ronald always had a smile for me. Lots of memories growing up as neighbors. He was a great man! Although he will surely be missed, he will be joining other great men upstairs.
Our sympathy and prayers to Kathy and the Anderson family. Always a smile and a friendly greeting from Ronald whenever we would meet him and Kathy. May he rest in peace.
Our sympathy to all of Ronald’s children with who I had the wonderful opportunity to grow up with. Your Dad was always a cheerful person and a wonderful example of a true Christian father! Blessed be his memory. Greg & Janet Costello
So sorry for your loss . Our deepest sympathy to everyone in the Anderson family
Donnie & Delores Knutson
Thanks Mary. He loved you too. nancy
The Heimerdinger Family sure has a lot of wonderful memories of Ronald. Our deepest sympathy to his loving family. May he rest in peace now. Sue & Gary Heimerdinger
To Kathy and all the Anderson family,
You have our deepest sympathy for your loss. From when we were young, Ronald always had a smile on his face when he greeted us at church on Sundays. He was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and loved to share stories about them. We know you have many memories to cherish and share with his great-grandchildren of a man who lived well and loved all his family and friends.
Joe and Sharon Haskovec
My deepest sympathy to Ronald’s children & Kathy. Ronald was a great man. He taught me a lot about construction and many other things . Your family were the best neighbors that a person could ask for. He will be missed. God Bless.
David & Debra Heimerdinger
Kathleen, you have our sincere sympathy, God be with you!
Richard and Rose Holschlag
Our deepest sympathy to you on the loss of a special person. I will always remember Ronald’s smile and kind greeting he gave. I can still remember growing up and the gatherings on July 4th when our families met. Keep hold of your memories. God Bless. Karen & Mark Schmitt
Please accept our sincere condolences. May the words quoted from this song bring you a measure of comfort as it did for us.
”If a man or woman should die, can they live again?
Hear the promise God has made:
He will call; The dead will answer.
They shall live at his command.
For he will have a longing
For the work of his own hand.
So have faith, and do not wonder,
For our God can make us stand.
And we shall live forever,
As the work of his own hand ”(Job 14:13-15)
To all the Anderson family, you have our deepest sympathy in the passing or your dad and grandpa.
Mark & Jolene Dungey
To Kathy and my Anderson first cousins, I am so sorry for your loss. Ronald was a good man and well-respected. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim and dan sorry to hear of your loss thinking of you both terese straw
Kim and Dan- so sorry to hear of your loss– hoping that fond memories bring you comfort. Thinking of you-The Rollins Family
Our sympathy to Ronald’s family, the Anderson’s were awesome neighbors. He will always be in your heart.
Jack & Nancy Anderson
Shirley, Nancy, Mark, Gene, Kim and Tracy, My deepest sympathy. I always enjoyed your Dad’s great sense of humor…Annette (Cochran) Parker
Kim, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. It was nice to visit with you this past summer at the nursing home. My dad enjoyed visiting with your dad there and said he was a gentleman to work with in years past. I sat with him and my dad at lunch one day, too. My sympathies to Gene and Susie and all your family.
My dad was simply the best. He lived his life raising kids, crops, and livestock. He loved life and everything in it; his family, the farm, and most importantly his faith. He longed to be together again with his wife, JoAnne, his parents, Alfred and Gena, and his little brother, Alton Gene. Your work on earth is finished now Dad. Well done good and faithful servant. Sleep in heavenly peace. See you at a later date.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Lonnie Z
Thank you! nancy
You’re absolutely right! Perfectly stated!
My sympathy to all. Your dad was such a nice man, always so friendly. I know he will be missed.
Mary Lee (Knutson) Thomas
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. Jesus promises that we will be able to see our loved ones again at John 5:28,29 which talks about the resurrection hope. What a wonderful hope that will be! May this bible thought bring you comfort at this difficult time.