Ronald D. Stender
Ronald D. “Ron” Stender, 75, of Monmouth, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10 A.M., Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, from 4 to 7 P.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Monmouth, Iowa Cemetery.
Ronald Dale Stender was born on February 9, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa, to Carlyle and Nellie (Hardin) Stender. He was a 1964 graduate of Midland High School. He married Kathleen Marie Widel on April 9, 1966 in Monmouth, Iowa. People said they were too young and it wouldn’t work, but it did for 54 wonderful years. Three children were born to this union, Steven, John and Dianna.
Ron was a lifelong farmer and had worked in feed industry first at Mitchell-Maskrey in Maquoketa for over 20 years and later as a salesman for Davison Feeds. He then became a school bus driver for the Midland Community School District from 1990 until retiring in 2018.
Ron was a member of the Monmouth Faith United Methodist Church, Jackson County Horse and Harness Association, and had served as a longtime 4-H leader for the Monmouth CO-ED. He was a lover of horses and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Steve (Kathy) Stender of Washington, IA, John (Jennifer) Stender of Baldwin, IA, and Dianna (Jeremy) Dunlavey of Ankeny, IA; 8 grandchildren, Ty (and fiance Kayleigh Koch), Derek and Curtis Stender, Sydney (and fiance Bailey Hadacek) and Lane Stender, Makenna, Emma and Michael Dunlavey; a sister, Karen Watters of Baldwin, IA; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathy on July 11, 2020, parents, and brother-in-law Barry Watters.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Ronald D. “Ron” Stender memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.