Ronald O. Straight

Ronald O. Straight, 86, passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018, at Lake Winona Manor, Winona, MN surrounded by his wife and family. Born on July 4, 1932 to Orville and Lilah (Seielstad) Straight at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse, WI. Ron married the love of his life, Betty Ann Dobrunz, on October 25, 1958 and they started their married lives in Dresbach and later Dakota, MN. Together they had three children Cheryl, Randall, and Peggy.

Ron had several occupations including owning his own dump truck, factory worker, truck driver, school bus driver, and welder, but his passion was farming. Ron began farming as a teenager, working for farmers in the Melrose-Mindoro area. Ron and Betty Ann purchased their first dairy farm near Nodine, MN and later purchased a farm near Richland Center, WI.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict in 1953-1955. Ron earned sharp shooter status, and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Germany. He was stationed in the Medical Corp at Furth Germany. A lifetime member of the VFW, Ron was Post Commander and All-State Commander for Richland Center, WI VFW post 2267. He was also a member of the Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595, La Crescent, MN. He was honored to participate in the September 2016 Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse. After retiring from the farm, Ron and Betty Ann moved to Reedsburg, WI where he was elected a 2nd District Alderperson for Reedsburg. Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing, bingo, family and friends, as well as the MN Vikings and MN Twins, traveling, and country music.

Ron is survived by his wife, Betty Ann; his children Cheryl Straight La Crescent, MN, Randall (Susun Haugen) Rushford, MN, and Peggy (Alan) Scafe Mondovi, WI.; grandchildren Nick Straight, Bart Greiner, Mike Straight, Drew Straight, Lacy Larson, and Jenna Valentin-Straight; great-grandchildren Tyson, Brogan, Blake, Jace, Colton, and another expected in March; two stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren. Ron is also survived by his Stepfather Clayton Mosher; sisters Carolyn (Gerald) Hafner, Ellen (Dan) Kinne, and Sharon (Ken) Reynolds, and brother David (Mary Jo) Mosher; brothers-in-law Ray (Mary Ann) Dobrunz and Steven (Lynn) Dobrunz, and sisters-in-law Carol (Pat) Papenfuss and Shirley Nagel; many nieces and nephews, and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, brother Gerald Straight, sister Judith Straight, and an infant sister Deborah Mosher.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 24 ^th at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Nodine, MN. Pastor Dennis Harbach will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crescent, 111 S. Oak St, La Crescent, MN, on Friday from 5:00-7:00 PM, and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of service. After committal, a light meal will be served at St. John’s school.