Ronald Betz Krage 1932 - 2018

KRAGE, BETZ, BUCKNER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/21/2018 at 18:18:46

Sioux City Journal
21 January 2018

Sioux City

Ronald Betz Krage, 85, of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 at his home of complications from a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26 at Holy Cross – Blessed Sacrament Church. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 25 from 4-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Condolences may be offered online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ronald was born March 16, 1932 in Sioux City to Helen Betz and Roy Samuel Krage. His family members were longtime residents of Sioux City. His father and grandfather were associated with the Krage-Jensen and Jensen-Krage construction companies.

Ron attended Blessed Sacrament grade school, North Junior High School and graduated from Central High School in 1950. He attended Iowa State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1954. He was a member of ROTC and became an officer in the U.S. Air Force assigned to Germany where he had the opportunity to travel to 18 countries in Europe. Ron received the Department of the Air Force Commendation Ribbon for Meritorious Achievement for being the temporary commander jointly with a German major at Lechfeld Air Force Base in Germany. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

He married Joan Buckner at Blessed Sacrament Church on Nov. 25, 1961. They had a daughter, Courtney Ann and a son, Ronald Gary.

Ron was employed as a superintendent for R.S. Krage Co. until 1961. He was then president of Kraco Contractors, Inc. which began in 1961 and also president of Kraco Asphalt, Inc. Both companies operated as construction companies until 1981. He then became a consulting engineer designing subdivisions and overseeing the development of over 400 home sites in the Sioux City, Plymouth County, Sergeant Bluff and Le Mars, Iowa areas.

Ron graduated as a financial planner at the College of Financial Planning in Denver in 1987. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, board member of the Iowa Engineering Society, a founding director of the Iowa Engineering Foundation, president of the Iowa Good Roads Association and a director and advisor for McCracken International Pipe Machinery Corp.

Ron was an active volunteer on the Sioux City Wastewater Treatment Advisory Committee, Chairman of Perry Creek Flood Control Task Force Committee for seven years, Chairman to revise the standards for specifications of all work done in the city public right of way for seven years, Chairman of the Board of Review, Chairperson of the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce Streets and Highway Committee, President and a board member of the Sioux City Engineers Club, and a member of Score.

Ron was a lifetime member of Blessed Sacrament Church where he served as an usher for many years. He was also vice president of the board of Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Ron was president of the Sioux City Rotary Club, district governor of District 5610 of Rotary International for the state of South Dakota and parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and later Rotary District Foundation Chairman. He attended the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia.

Ron enjoyed family reunions at Lake Okoboji, fishing in Canada and spending winters in Fountain Hills, Ariz. and Marco Island, Fla. His most enjoyable times were spent with his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Courtney Ann and her partner, Tom Renick of St. Paul, Minn.; son, Ronald Gary and wife, Teresa Ann and two grandchildren, Erin Katherine and Matthew Ronald of Parker, Colo. He is also survived by one brother, Colonel F. Krage of Sioux City; three sisters, Marilyn Higgins of Okoboji, Iowa, Barbara Nicknish of Iowa City, Iowa and Mary Alice Swanson of Clinton, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, R. Sam Krage and two sisters, Blanche Ward and Helen Ann Feste.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Siouxland, Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Holy Cross - Blessed Sacrament Church or the charity of your choice.