Russell W. Ronnfeldt
May 29, 1926 — February 23, 2009
Russell William Ronnfeldt was born on May 29, 1926, in rural Avoca, Iowa, to William and Clara (Woltmann) Ronnfeldt. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm near Hancock and graduated from Hancock School with the Class of 1944.
He worked as a farm hand until he was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1944. He served in Germany and the Philippines during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he returned to working as a farm hand and then became a truck driver for Zobrist and Mckinny for eighteen years.
On March 30, 1951, Russ was united in marriage to Hervetta Jacobsen. Two daughters were born to this union: Ronda and Reva. He worked for P & G Elevator (later Hancock Elevator) for twenty-five years.
He joined the Hancock Fire Department in 1952, and remained active with them until 1989 and serving as Chief for fifteen years. He was a charter member of the Hancock American Legion, organizing the group in 1954; as well as a charter member of Iowa West Foundation, and the Avoca Lion�s Club. Russ served on the Hancock town council for forty-one years, including twelve years as mayor.
Russ loved to travel and took trips to Hawaii, Mexico, many of the states, and made two trips to the Bahamas, the second one taking his family to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. His greatest love was baseball and he went to as many of his children�s, grandchildren�s, and great-grandson�s games as he could.
In February of 1992, while trimming a tree, Russ suffered a spine injury resulting in paralysis and new life in the wheelchair. In November of 2006, after a leg injury, he entered the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center. It was there that he died on Monday, February 23, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-two years, eight months, and twenty five days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Joel, and great-grandson Ethan.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Hervetta Ronnfeldt of Hancock, Iowa; his daughters Ronda and her husband Dave Holst of Avoca, Iowa and Reva and her husband William Bylund of Avoca; three grandchildren: Jason Holst and his wife Amanda of Avoca, Kelsey Bylund of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jeremy Holst of Avoca; great-grandson Blake Holst of Avoca; brothers: Melvin Ronnfeldt of Mesa, Arizona, Allan Ronnfeldt and his wife Jan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Harold Ronnfeldt and his wife Janiece of Council Bluffs; sisters-in-law Hazel Miller and Lois Jacobsen and brothers-in-law Robert Jacobsen and Roy Jacobsen; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at with Rev. Dennis Reich performing the 10:30 AM service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Wayne Carse, Curt Jacobsen, Mike Looper, Willie and Janet Bintz, Harrison Clark, and the ANRC staff and residents. Casket bearers were Dave Woltmann, Charlie Ronnfeldt, Darren Jacobsen, Dion Grooms, Lon Miller, and Jay Schuster. Military Rites were held by the American Legion Post #720 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Hancock, Iowa.
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He worked as a farm hand until he was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1944. He served in Germany and the Philippines during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he returned to working as a farm hand and then became a truck driver for Zobrist and Mckinny for eighteen years.
On March 30, 1951, Russ was united in marriage to Hervetta Jacobsen. Two daughters were born to this union: Ronda and Reva. He worked for P & G Elevator (later Hancock Elevator) for twenty-five years.
He joined the Hancock Fire Department in 1952, and remained active with them until 1989 and serving as Chief for fifteen years. He was a charter member of the Hancock American Legion, organizing the group in 1954; as well as a charter member of Iowa West Foundation, and the Avoca Lion�s Club. Russ served on the Hancock town council for forty-one years, including twelve years as mayor.
Russ loved to travel and took trips to Hawaii, Mexico, many of the states, and made two trips to the Bahamas, the second one taking his family to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. His greatest love was baseball and he went to as many of his children�s, grandchildren�s, and great-grandson�s games as he could.
In February of 1992, while trimming a tree, Russ suffered a spine injury resulting in paralysis and new life in the wheelchair. In November of 2006, after a leg injury, he entered the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center. It was there that he died on Monday, February 23, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-two years, eight months, and twenty five days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Joel, and great-grandson Ethan.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Hervetta Ronnfeldt of Hancock, Iowa; his daughters Ronda and her husband Dave Holst of Avoca, Iowa and Reva and her husband William Bylund of Avoca; three grandchildren: Jason Holst and his wife Amanda of Avoca, Kelsey Bylund of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jeremy Holst of Avoca; great-grandson Blake Holst of Avoca; brothers: Melvin Ronnfeldt of Mesa, Arizona, Allan Ronnfeldt and his wife Jan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Harold Ronnfeldt and his wife Janiece of Council Bluffs; sisters-in-law Hazel Miller and Lois Jacobsen and brothers-in-law Robert Jacobsen and Roy Jacobsen; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at with Rev. Dennis Reich performing the 10:30 AM service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Wayne Carse, Curt Jacobsen, Mike Looper, Willie and Janet Bintz, Harrison Clark, and the ANRC staff and residents. Casket bearers were Dave Woltmann, Charlie Ronnfeldt, Darren Jacobsen, Dion Grooms, Lon Miller, and Jay Schuster. Military Rites were held by the American Legion Post #720 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Hancock, Iowa.
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