Charlson, Ronald Ernest 1939-2011

CHARLSON, GROSENHEIDER, FRANK

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/16/2017 at 20:07:40

Ronald Charlson

September 22, 2011

Ronald Charlson, 72, of Le Mars passed away Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at St. John''s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. with Reverend Gary Landsness officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 26, 2011 followed by 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service and Sharing of Memories. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.carlsenfuneralhome.com. Memorials will be used to help establish the Ron Charlson Scholarship Fund to help further education and athletics. Pallbearers will be Dee Jay Donlin, Keith Brown, Howard Eich, Doug Schultz, Doug Gunther, and Mark Buhman.

Ronald Ernest Charlson was born February 1, 1939 in Le Mars, Iowa to Ernest and Anna (Grosenheider) Charlson. Ron was baptized and confirmed at St. John''s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1957. While in high school, Ron participated and excelled in sports. Following high school, Ron continued his education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD where he played football for the Vikings. He graduated with a degree in education. Ron was united in marriage to Nancy Frank on May 29, 1960 in Sioux Falls, SD. Ron and Nancy were blessed with three children: Cathy, Doug, and Jeff. Ron taught and coached in Burt, Iowa for two years before joining the Le Mars Community School District. He taught and coached at Le Mars Community for 33 years until retiring in 1996. He coached football at all levels and was the head coach for the 1973 State Champion Bulldog Football team. He also coached girls golf, baseball and middle school basketball. Ron loved coaching and mentoring the youth of Le Mars. Many of his former students and athletes have also been lifelong friends. Coach Charlson loved the Bulldogs. Ron enjoyed playing golf, trapshooting, hunting and fishing; especially trips to South Dakota and Canada with friends and family. He also enjoyed motorcycling and being an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. He earned many coaching honors and is a member of the Augustana College Athletic Hall of Fame. Ron deeply loved his family and his family loved him. He relished spending time with his children and grandchildren, and shared many of his hobbies and activities with them.

Survivors include his three children: Catherine Mrla and her husband Mark of Slayton, MN, Douglas Charlson and his wife Jeanne of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jeffrey Charlson of Johnston, IA; Nine grandchildren: Nicole, Nick, Cari, Molly, Sam, Isaac, Noah, Mia, and Aidan; Nancy Charlson of Sioux City, IA; Four siblings: Arliss (Doug) Wickstrom of Bellaire, MI, Ronda (Chuck) Keenan of Le Mars, Roxanne Charlson of Cambridge, MN, and Steve (Pam) Charlson of Traverse City, MI; a special friend, Betty Murphy of Omaha, NE; and several nieces and nephews.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Anna (Grosenheider) Charlson.

The family of Ron would like to thank the staff of Plymouth Manor and Hospice of Siouxland for the outstanding care and support given to Ron.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa