Ronald (Ron) Eldon Thenhaus

Ronald (Ron) Eldon Thenhaus

Cedar Rapids

Ronald (Ron) Eldon Thenhaus died peacefully on August 24 at the age of 89 in Temecula, CA. He is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer Vellinga (Tim Vellinga), Tami Vernon (Howard Vernon III), Jill Rosales (Ernie Rosales), nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Thenhaus, parents, Louis and Mildred Thenhaus and his older brother, Duane Thenhaus.

Ronald was born on March 3, 1935 in Cedar Rapids, IA, the second son of Louis and Mildred Thenhaus. He was a proud graduate of Franklin High School where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball as well as choir. In 1954, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served overseas for one year followed by another two years in the Marine Corps Reserve. During one of his military leaves home, he met the love of his life, Judy Sandler. They were married on March 22, 1957. Ron enrolled at Coe College where he earned a bachelor of arts degree and became a certified public accountant. His career took Ron and his family to Omaha, NE; Sioux City, IA; Orange City, IA; Fort Morgan, CO and back to Cedar Rapids where he retired. In retirement, Ron found time to work as a field agent for Lifeline Alert Systems. He had a lifelong love of baseball but his passion for most of his adult life was golf. He loved to play golf and watch golf on TV. As an extension of this passion for golf, he dedicated much of his spare time during retirement to building custom golf clubs which he used himself and gave to friends and family.

A service and inurnment will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nightingale’s Hospice, 41690 Ivy St. C5, Murietta, CA 92562.