Ronald V. Ruona

Obituary

Ronald Virgil Ruona was born on April 26, 1940, in Hector, Minnesota. He was the son of Virgil and Muriel Ruona. Ronald was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Bird Island, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Bird Island High School class of 1958. With dreams of becoming a veterinarian, Ronald furthered his education in the pre-med program at the University of Minnesota for two years.

Ronald entered active military service in the United States Army National Guard of Minnesota on August 14, 1962, in Olivia, Minnesota. He received an Honorable Discharge on January 7, 1966, in Olivia, and achieved the rank of E4 in the Artillery Unit. After leaving college and honorably discharged from the National Guard, he moved to a farm in Callaway, Minnesota, where he farmed and raised cattle for many years.

Ronald married Deborah Gjerde in 1973 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, Ernest, Michelle, and Tina. Ronald and Deborah made their home on the family farm near Hector.

Ronald worked for Hector Ag for many years while farming, raising hogs, sheep and horses. He also kept busy at Ruona Construction, specializing in cement work and erecting and moving grain bins. He always said he was a “Jack of all Trades, Master of None!” In his retirement years he kept busy and enjoyed maintaining his farms near Hector, and traveling up north to his Callaway farm, where he loved deer hunting and being able to share this experience with his children and grandchildren. Ronald found joy in helping others and was always lending a helping hand. Ronald had a strong interest in politics and enjoyed staying informed. He also enjoyed reading the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Hector News Mirror. Ronald loved baking apple pies, often donating and sharing them with others, and had a passion for growing roses. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Hector. He was a proud Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa!

Ronald passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Olivia Hospital in Olivia, Minnesota, at the age of 85 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Ronald is survived by his:
Children, Michelle Bregier and her significant other, Steve Gray, of Detroit Lakes, MN,
Ernest Ruona of Hector, MN,
Tina Kuhlman and her husband, Duane, of Smiths Station, AL;
Grandchildren, Joe (Skyler) Lingl, Jesse (Kalley Jo) Lingl, Jacob (Alexis) Lingl, Desiree (Orion) Jacobson, Danika Jacobson, McKenna Bregier, Alexis Kuhlman, Alcee Kuhlman;
Great-Grandchildren, Alaynah, Kayden, Beau, Easton, Hudson, Knoxson, Ava, and Baby Lingl arriving soon.
Sibling, Robert “Bob” (Patricia) Ruona of Cochise, AZ;
Many other relatives and friends.

Ronald is preceded in death by his Parents, Virgil and Muriel Ruona; Brother, Gerald Ruona.