Ronald J. Weinfurtner, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the VA Home in Chippewa Falls, WI.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield, WI, where family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00am until service time. Rev. Daniel Williams will officiate. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the American Legion Post 54 following the service. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Ron was born on May 27, 1935 in Stratford, WI to Frank and Helen (Harter) Weinfurtner and was a 1953 graduate of Columbus High School. He served in the United States Army from February 9, 1954 until he was honorably discharged on January 30, 1957.
After the Army, Ron had been employed as a bricklayer for 18 years, beginning as an apprentice and working his way up to foreman, constructing buildings in central and southern Wisconsin as well as Iowa. In 1974, he and his brother Dick went into business together starting Team Sporting Goods. While in business, he got to know people from all over Wisconsin and Northern Michigan, forming relationships so that they were not only clients, but became lifelong friends. He worked hard but there was always time for fun and shenanigans. He was a man of many stories.
Ron married Sherryl Munson in 1978 and they later divorced.
Ron, also known by many as "The Big Duke", was an avid outdoorsman and a legendary fisherman. If someone wanted to go fishing, there was always time for that. He passed down his love of the north woods and the outdoors to his daughters.
Ron was a devoted and loving father to his daughters Courtney (Jake) Fabish of Eau Claire and Paige (Adam) Dykstra of Altoona. There is not anything he would not have done for his girls. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Audriana, Jordan, and Eleanor Fabish, Owen Dykstra, and a stepson Chad (Karen) Wells of Maquoketa, IA and step-grandson Chase (Annabelle) Wells. He is further survived by a sister Shirley Weber of Marshfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dick Weinfurtner, and his sister Dorothy Nordbeck.
Ron was a proud Veteran and had a big heart. He often donated to many charities. Memorials may be designated to the Disabled American Veterans or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
