Ron Nelson

RON NELSON Marion Clifford Ronald "Ron" Nelson, 65, of Marion, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha as a result of Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Ron is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Jane; two children, Amanda of Marion and Josh of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Roberta Angell (Kenny), Shirley Deepsong (Arnold) and Mary Harris (the late Greg Harris); and best friend, Cliff Sheets (Cathy Metsch), who was the brother he never had. Ron will be missed by many family and friends and his faithful dog, Minnie, who waits for him in vain by his recliner chair. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ron graduated from Buena Vista College with a B.A. degree in accounting. Due to mounting health issues, he retired from Midland Forge after a number of years as financial controller. In the Quad Cities, Ron was a member of the Cornbelt Running Club, Rock Island Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Quad Cities Better Business Bureau board of directors, chairman of the Rock Island Small Business Incubator Steering Committee, chairman of the Quad Cities Better Business Bureau and a Junior Achievement teaching mentor. After moving his young family to Cedar Rapids, Ron was active in the Cedar Valley Running Association and its board, serving as president for a few fun years. He loved when his whole family was together. Ron enjoyed running, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes or Minnesota Vikings, current events, action movies, reading and working out at the MAC. Ron was a devoted husband and father whose zest for life made him strive for his personal best at work and play. He loved his family and friends deeply, sharing with them his passions for running, biking, cross country skiing and many infamous firewood cutting sessions until chronic illnesses set upon this "health nut's" body. However, possessing a strong faith in God, he never once asked "Why me?" We are all devastated by Ron's passing, but comforted that he is no longer suffering, and is in God's loving home. We will miss him so very much. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Milestones in Marion. Please share a memory of Ron at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.