Ronald C. “Ron” Drier, age 84 of Durand, died Monday, October 27, 2014 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Eau Claire with his family by his side.

Ron was born on November 8, 1929 on the family farm in the Town of Waterville, rural Arkansaw. Ron was the son of Carl and Frances (Heit), he grew up in the Arkansaw area and graduated from Arkansaw High School. He entered into the U.S. Army, served in Korea during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. After returning home from the war, Ron spent some time working at the Goodrich Lumber Company before working for Bauer Built, where he spent the majority his career. Ron married Doris Fedie on June 25, 1956 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lima. After marriage, Ron and Doris lived their entire lives in Durand, where they worked and raised their seven children.

Ron enjoyed fishing, hunting and taking care of his lawn. Ron was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Durand American Legion Post #181. Most of all, Ron loved spending time with family and friends.

Ron is survived by his wife of 58 years; Doris, seven children; Tim (Heidi) of Woodbury, MN, Cheryl (Dave) Rhodes of Reedsburg, Joe of Milwaukee, Mary (Jim) Hoover of Oconomowoc, Rhonda (Pat) Brown of Escondido, CA, Eric (Jamie) of Woodbury, MN and Kurt (Erin) of Oconomowoc, 11 grandchildren; Jake, Jeff (Danielle), Marissa (Joe), Katie, Carl (Sarah), Elizabeth, Nicholas, Alyssa (Matt), Trevor, Addie and Makenzie, five great grandchildren; Ridge, Ferris, Bennett, Joseph and Bella, one brother; George (Kay) and one sister; Delores (John) Kidd, one sister-in-law; Irm Drier, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother; Robert Drier and one sister-in-law; Kathy Drier.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM Friday, October 31, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Durand American Legion Post #181. Friends may call from 10:30 AM until the time of services at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ron’s name to the Durand Food Pantry in Durand, www.durandfoodpantry.com.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. CW5 Debra Blankenbaker (KIDD) November 2, 2014, at 4:31am

   Doris and Drier family members. I just heard the news and I wanted to express our sincere condolences. I was very found of Ron and he will be missed. John and I will keep all of you in our prayers as you make your way through the mourning and healing process.

   Love,

   John & Debra Blankenbaker

2. Cheri Perry McMahon November 1, 2014, at 7:09pm

   Dear Rhonda

   So sorry for the loss of your dad... I am sending prayers and thoughts to you and your family in this sad time...

   Cheri Perry McMahon
   Marietta, GA

3. Mary Ellen Gifford Goldfien November 1, 2014, at 1:03pm

   Dear Doris and family, I was so sorry to hear about Ron. I will never forget Ron coming out to the Bumby house at 2:00 a.m. to bring me fuel oil and lighting my furnace in below zero temp. He was such a wonderful man and I know he will be missed by so many.

4. Jim Brown October 31, 2014, at 8:26pm

   I was saddened to hear of Ron's death. He was very kind to my son Pat who married Rhonda Drier. I remember him fondly from their wedding.

   I send my deepest condolences to Doris, Rhonda and all the other Drier children.

5. Patti Blount October 31, 2014, at 2:36pm

   I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Ron. He was very nice person to know. Sympathy to the family.

   Patti Blount

6. Valerene Cataract October 31, 2014, at 12:34pm

   Sorry to hear about Ron's passing. I and all of us here at the Handy Mart will miss him coming in, getting his hot chocolate and shooting the breeze with us. Our prayers to all the family.

7. John & Karen Zacharias October 30, 2014, at 9:36pm

   We thank God for the opportunity to have Ron as part of the Durand Area Food Pantry Board of Directors. Even though he was on the Board, he was not afraid to help in any way he could including helping the clients of the Food Pantry and volunteering to help with special fundraising projects. In early August of this year, Ron helped at Blues on the Chippewa with collection of food items and funds for the Food Pantry. For us as directors of the day to day operations, Ron was helpful and encouraging and brightened whatever the situation with his smile and laugh. Thank you Ron for living a life of service to your community. Our prayers for God's comfort and presence are for Ron's family and friends.
   Pepin County/Durand Area Food Pantry Board of Directors and Volunteer Staff

8. Paul & Jan Slabey Family October 30, 2014, at 7:24pm

   Your in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

9. John Judy parr October 30, 2014, at 6:45pm

   Our sympathy is with you

10. Kurt Ableidinger October 30, 2014, at 11:58am

    Eric and Family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts are going out to you all.

11. Nadine Schuh October 30, 2014, at 11:03am

    Doris and family:

    This saying helped ease the pain a bit when my sister, dad, and brother died.

    When a family member goes on a trip we sadly say, “There he goes”
    BUT,
    on the OTHER side they JOYFULLY exclaim,

    
    ” HERE HE COMES !! “

12. Sharon Jung-Bloch October 30, 2014, at 8:15am

    Greg and I were deeply saddened to learn of Ron’s death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Doris, Kurt, Tim, Cheryl, Joe, Mary, Rhonda, Eric and all the grandchildren. We will fondly remember the good times we had together and will sorely miss the witty gentlemen that he was. Ron loved his family and will continue to be with them, just in a different way. Sharon and Greg Bloch

13. Jim Glensky October 30, 2014, at 7:59am

    Kurt, so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.

14. Rosemary Carlisle October 30, 2014, at 7:21am

    My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. My deepest sympathy.

15. Maria Gifford October 29, 2014, at 8:29pm

    Uncle Ron was an incredibly kind and good-hearted man -- you could see it in his eyes. He was always one to look you in the eye and ask honest, intuitive questions -- the kind that tell you someone is paying attention and cares. I loved that I could talk to him about anything -- you'd just sit down next to him and pick up where you last left off -- easy. He had an adorable chuckle (which he often did discretely at family gatherings!) and was tickled by the smallest of things. He was always calm and could teach us all a lesson in being "cool." His life was his family, and we love him for that. The Gifford girls will miss Uncle Ron ("UR") very much. - Love, Maria & Karl

16. John & Jo Ann Fagerland October 29, 2014, at 5:42pm

    Sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.

17. Shari Werlein October 29, 2014, at 1:36pm

    Doris and Family, So sorry for your loss. I still laugh when I think about the time you and Ron were babysitting Karl (Maria's son) and I stopped to pick him up after work. It was 90 degrees and Ron and I couldn't figure out how to get Karl buckled into his car seat. Poor Karl was crying and Ron and I just couldn't believe between the two of us we couldn't figure it out! Somehow we managed and we had a good laugh about it. Deepest sympathy to all the family.

18. Thom Rutherford October 29, 2014, at 8:11am

    Ron was always a GOOD friend and a hard dependable worker!! Our thoughts and prayers for you! Sharing your loss.

19. Your Friends at SVA October 29, 2014, at 6:53am

    Mary,

    All your friends at SVA have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

20. Gordie & LaVina Gifford October 29, 2014, at 6:19am

    Remembering the times our families vacationed together, especially the trip to Fence Lake in the motorhome, Gordie & Ron flying Lena to So. Dakota to visit Father Lawrence and Gordie driving Ron to Omaha, Nebraska for his military reunion. Also the many Sunday evening suppers when our children were growing up. Such good memories!

21. Dick & Jan Bates October 28, 2014, at 8:42pm

    Family of Ron Drier:

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Ron was a good man who always had a good word when you ran into him. We will remember Ron in our prayers.

    Dick & Jan Bates

22. Carla Drier-Newman October 28, 2014, at 7:55pm

    I will miss you Uncle Ron. I have very fond memories of family times together on fishing trips, going down the apple river and playing cards. You look so much like grandpa Carl and my dad. May Aunt Doris and your family be blessed and have peace in this time of loss.

23. Marsha Brannen October 28, 2014, at 6:58pm

    So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

24. Gina Gifford Brennan October 28, 2014, at 3:43pm

    Aunt Doris & family,
    Uncle Ron and Uncle Dean were hands down my favorite two uncles...and now they are both gone. I will always remember Uncle Ron's laugh.
    All my love,
    Gina

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