Ronald Joseph Nollen

Ronald Joseph Nollen was born the youngest of seven children, on March 10, 1940 to Michael and Frances (Thielen) Nollen on the family farm two and a half miles west of Defiance. He was baptized and later confirmed into the Catholic faith. Ron attended Defiance High School. He lived and helped on the family farm until he was 19 years old. In 1959, he moved into town. Ron married Patricia Ann Irwin on June 17, 1961 and four children were born to this union: Ann, Kathleen, Randy and Lee.

Ronnie worked for a local farmer hauling corn southwest of Earling. He then worked for his brother, Harry at his gas station in Harlan. He was later employed with Squealer Feeds, Farmland Foods, Long Horn Chemical and lastly, Packer's Sanitation Services at Dubuque Packing. Ron traveled to 54 different packing plants within the United States, associated with Packer's Sanitation Services. He was proud of his continuing education he took through seminars.

Ron married Sharon Rogers in June of 1981 and the couple made their home in Vail. A few years following their divorce, Ron married his love from high school, Ruth Kohles on February 9, 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple moved to Vail where they opened "Jack's Place". In 1992, they sold their bar and moved to Harlan. Ron was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident forcing him to retire at 54 years old. In 1999, the couple moved to Westphalia and built their forever home.

Ron was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. He enjoyed traveling to different local casinos and playing slot machines next to Ruthi. He loved visiting about classic cars. Listening to music was one of his favorite pastimes. He looked forward to Monday nights when he could watch WWE wrestling. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family.

Ron passed away on May 27, 2023 at Gracewell - Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison at the age of 83 years, two months and 17 days.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lee Nollen; wife, Ruthi Nollen in 2020; and five siblings. He is survived by three children: Ann (Don) Motley of Eagle Grove, Kathy Finney of Arvada, Colorado and Randy Nollen of Westphalia; eight grandchildren: Landis (Tana) Motley and their children, Matthew and Olivia of Eagle Grove, Andrew Motley and his dog, Herky of Eagle Grove, Kelsey Motley (Ryan Ballman) of Portland, Oregon, Collin Finney and Aidan Finney both of Arvada, Colorado, Julia Nollen of Earling, Maggie Nollen of Teltow, Germany, and Alex Nollen of Westphalia; sister, Marilyn (Ed) Goeser of Harlan; sister-in-law, Shirley Nollen of Harlan; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Interment will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.