Ronald Edwin Ruiter

Ronald E. Ruiter, the only child of John and Martha G. (Wolters) Ruiter, was born on November 16, 1934, on the family farm north of Meservey, Iowa.  He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, graduating from Meservey High School in 1952.  Ron was drafted into the United States Army in April of 1957 and then called back in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis.

      On July 1, 1954, Ron was united in marriage to Alice Folkedahl at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield.  They made their home in Meservey until 1959, when they moved to Goldfield and opened the Dari-Y. In 1964 he and Alice bought Ron’s restaurant operating both businesses for over 27 years. They also catered many meals with their catering kitchen. During that time Ron made thousands of gallons of his secret recipe potato salad.  Ron retired in 2001.  Alice preceded him in death on March 8, 2006.

      Ron was a member of the Goldfield United Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and usher. He was also a member and former President of the Goldfield Lions Club and Goldfield Business Men. He and Alice also belonged to the Iowa Restaurant Association. During his career he was presented the Golden Chicken Award from the Broaster Company. Ron enjoyed watching sports and became an avid Northwestern Wildcat fan after meeting Alice. He enjoyed gardening, making parade floats, weaving blue jean rugs, attending Karl King Band concerts in Fort Dodge, watching the Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune, spending time with his family, enjoying life, and the simple things. He also traveled to Branson, MO once a year for many years. In 2018 he accompanied the First Presbyterian Church Choir of Davenport to Germany as a “roadie.” This past July he went with them to Milwaukee, WI. and enjoyed a Cubs-Brewers game. His favorite hangout was “The Shed.”

      Ron passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at Mercy One North Iowa Hospice in Mason City, at the age of 84 years.  He was also preceded in death by his parents.

      Ron is survived by his children, Karla Ruiter of Bettendorf and Kyle Ruiter and wife Connie of Goldfield; three grandchildren: Kyle Jr. (Kylie Jones) of Arizona, Abigail McBurney (Josh) of Humboldt and Colby (Brook) of Dubuque and two grand dogs, Graycie Mae and Pebbles Marie.

     Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Goldfield United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Sara Sutter officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Goldfield.  Following cremation, a private burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove at a later date.

      Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

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