Ronald Duane Neus

Ronald Duane Neus

Ron was born in Austin, MN to Cora Holman and Fernie Neus on October 26, 1938.

He passed away on Tuesday, May 17,2022 with his wife and daughter by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Clifford Kirkebon; stepbrother, Roger Kirkebon; his oldest son, Daniel who was murdered in 1996 at the age of 29; and a granddaughter, Melissa Wiersgalla.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Jane; daughter, Nancy; son, Patrick, sp. Renee; daughter, Margaret; sister, Carol; nieces, Tammy and Nicole; and seven grandchildren, T.J. and KayLee Wiersgalla and Daniel, Conner, Jack, Celine and Rafe Neus.

Ron's early years were on a farm in southern Minnesota. He milked cows when he was 5 and his first school was a one room schoolhouse hosting all 8 grades. Ron said they never got a snow day because one of the dads would hitch a sleigh to his horses, pick up all the students AND the teacher and deliver them to their place of learning. When Ron was only 8 his father died and later the family, now including stepfather Cliff, moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota.

To facilitate the children's educational opportunities the family then moved to Minneapolis when Ron was a senior in high school. He graduated from Marshall High then went on to the U of M where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business. After fulfilling his military obligation Ron checked out employment opportunities in San Francisco. Luckily, he returned to Minnesota where while employed at Whirlpool, he completed an Industrial Engineering Certificate at the U of M. It was while meeting with a group to purchase student season tickets to Gopher football games that he met his wife-to-be, Jane Fleming.

They were married in 1964, and soon moved to Albert Lea, MN where their first two children were born. Ron's career then took them to Milwaukee, where Ron obtained his Masters in Economics at Marquette University. In Ron had been promoted to Plant Manager but always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Later the family moved back to Minneapolis with a job change and the addition of two more children. He then purchased a small engraving shop, Merit Badge Co. which he and Jane ran together. When the business had grown substantially, he cut down to half time in engineering but soon left the corporate world to devote full time to the business. Ron's motto in any business dealing was that "A contract must be advantageous for both parties". He was a well-liked and respected businessman.

His family always took precedence over anything else, and weekends and summers were spent at the lake cabin and on road trips with Jane and their 4 children. At retirement age, the business was sold, and Ron and Jane moved to Rio Rancho, NM where they had always hoped to retire. Ron was then able to fulfill many travel desires with Jane by his side. Ron also volunteered his time at Presbyterian Health Services. In 2009 Ron was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

The final years of his life, while it was tragic to witness that beautiful and creative mind deteriorate, he retained a wonderful sense of humor, a kindness, and a drive to run things, create, and improve things which were manifested in the stories he made up and told with gusto to anyone who would listen.

The family will be eternally grateful to the wonderful, compassionate staff at "The Neighborhood at Rio Rancho," who made his final years comfortable.

Ron "You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race. Now rest in the peace of God."

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1502 Sara Rd SE in Rio Rancho. The cremains will be taken to Minnesota for interment at Hillside Cemetery in St. Anthony, Minnesota on August 26, 2022. Funeral arrangements are being made with St. Charles Borromeo Church for the same day.