Ronald Wiertsema age 86 of Rushmore, Minnesota passed away Monday, October 7, 2024 at his home in rural Rushmore.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, October 11, 2024 at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock with Pastor Daniel Stanley, officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery of Little Rock.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 10th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock.
Ronald Joe Wiertsema was born December 2, 1937, to Ralph and Josie (Schilling) Wiertsema. He attended Viola No. 2 School in Osceola County through 8th grade and after that began working full-time on the farm with his parents. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa.
Ron married Vernette Mae Buss on September 16, 1958, at Salem Reformed Church. During their early married years, Ron hauled can milk and did some trucking for his Dad. They lived and farmed south of Rushmore, Minnesota, all their life. Their kids were active in 4-H and high school sports. This meant many memorable trips to county fairs, state fairs and sporting events. Ron and Vernette were 50+ year members of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Rushmore where he served in the offices of elder and deacon, and their present membership is at Salem Reformed Church.
Ron was a hard working man but he always had time for his kids and all those grands and greats! He had a positive attitude and was able to find good in every situation. He had a passion for music, from the piano, to his accordion, to his beloved concertina. We all learned to do the polka with Dad!!
Ron loved farm life. Last year he was still the main grain cart driver. He was the guy that got the mowing done, and he never saw a thistle that he didn’t spray. Ron had his own special way of fixing things and always got the job done, but not always in the expected way. Family members frequently referred to this as being “Ronnie-rigged.” His very favorite piece of farm equipment was the skid loader, and he never met a rock that he couldn’t get picked up.
Ron died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on October 7, 2024, at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 5 days.
He is survived by his wife Vernette; daughter Trisha (Tom) Bullerman, grandchildren Tyler (Hilary), Trent (Christine), and great grandchildren Brynn, Kendall and Andi; daughter Lisa Full, grandchildren Ben (Kayla), Jake (Katie Woehrle), Olivia (Dylan Eggers), and great grandson Will; son Randy (Hope) Wiertsema, grandchildren Kelsey (Reid) Geerdes, Katie (Marty) Van Peursem, Ross (Leah DePippo), and great grandchildren Hadley, Crosby, Gracie and Grady; daughter Kathy (Lowell) Miller, grandchildren Christin (Jed) Kassulke, Andrea (Ray) Walker, James Miller, John (Hallie) Miller, and great grandchildren Avery, Payton and Macy; siblings Jerry (Karen) Wiertsema, Verlyn (Bobbie) Wiertsema, Brenda Zinnel; in laws Janice Schilling, Delores Springman, Daryl (Sharon) Buss; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Josie Wiertsema; parents in law Herman and Etta Buss; brother Don Schilling; brother in law Willie Springman; granddaughters Teresa, Tanya and Tara Bullerman; nephews Mike and Dave Schilling.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Wiertsema, please visit our flower store.
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