Ronald C. Wilson, age 81, of Richfield, Minnesota, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa died Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his residence.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Storm Lake Fire Department or St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Ronald Clair Wilson was born August 19, 1941, to Alvie Furman and Helen Arlene (Busing) Wilson in Webster City, Iowa. He grew up attending school in Webster City, graduating in 1959. After graduating high school, he began working as a tree trimmer, then worked at Webster City Foundry. He later applied for a firefighter position with the Webster City Fire Department. He stayed on the department for 9 years, working his way up to being the Assistant Chief.
Ron was united in marriage to Patricia Faulkner on November 3, 1963, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City. They were blessed with four children: Susan, Matthew, Jennifer, and Brian.
On May 1, 1971, Ron and his family moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where he served as the Fire Chief of the Storm Lake Fire Department until 1999. He served as an instructor for the Fire Service Training Bureau, and taught classes to many departments throughout Northwest Iowa. He served as President of the Iowa Firefighters Association from 1979 – 1980. He also served as President of the Iowa Professional Fire Chiefs Association and was a Lifetime Member of the Iowa Fire Chiefs Association having joined in 1971. Upon retirement from the Storm Lake Fire Department, he went on to sell fire trucks for Clarey's Safety Equipment, and later worked as a salesman for Fitzpatricks in Storm Lake. In his free time, Ron enjoyed coaching youth sports and served on the Tornado Booster Club. He loved to golf and enjoyed bike riding, even going on RAGBRAI numerous times.
Ron was active in his faith through church, serving as an usher, and chaperoning many youth group summer trips. He treasured his time with family over everything. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish Ron's memory are his wife, Pat Wilson of Richfield, Minnesota; children: Susan Wilson of Edina, Minnesota; Matthew (Tiffany) Wilson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Jennifer (Jeff) Christiansen of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Brian (Brianne) Wilson of Algona, Iowa; sister: Pamela Wilson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sisters in law: Mary Wilson of Webster City, Iowa; Judy Ross of Sun City West, Arizona; grandchildren: Claire, Carter, and Caden Christiansen; Isaac, Mathias, and Gideon Wilson; extended family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alvie and Helen (Busing) Wilson; brother: Steve Wilson; parents in law: Tom and Betty Faulkner; and brother in law: Jerry Faulkner.