Ronald R. Gasser, age 83, of Sun City, Texas and Annandale, Minnesota died after a brief illness on October 23, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. A service was also held in Andice, TX in October of 2017. Ron was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota on September 17, 1934 to Rudolph and Mary Gasser.
He graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School and joined the U.S. Navy for a four-year tour on the USS Ashland which fueled his love for travel. Returning to St. Cloud, Ron graduated from St. Cloud State College and met his lifelong partner Dureen. Ron married Dureen on September 17, 1960; it is thought that the date was chosen so he would never forget his anniversary.
Ron soon accepted a teaching position in Arlington Heights, Illinois. After four years of teaching, he found his true professional calling as a sales rep for Harper and Row Publishers selling to the education market. Of Ron’s many interests, his family and faith were most important.
Ron was active in his children’s sports and activities while they were growing up; he supported them through many challenges in their lives. Traveling through the country multiple times, often with other family members in tow, Ron and family saw the beauty in the mountains of the west, ate lobster on the coast of the Atlantic in Maine, viewed government in action in DC, admired the lovely beaches of Florida and saw many other sights. Active in the church his entire life, Ron was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a trustee at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
Whether as an usher, reader, choir member or any of the other roles Ron took on, his smile always drew people in. Sports were also a big part of Ron’s life including skiing, golfing, playing tennis, boating and running. He lived to see both the Twins and the Cubs win the World Series.
He was a lifetime Gopher, Huskies and Notre Dame fan, and also supported the local pro teams. Finally, Ron loved his interactions with his friends. Whether in person or on the phone, Ron would light up when around his friends.
He was there for them during struggles and there to celebrate their successes. His smile was well known in Annandale, St. Cloud and Georgetown. Ron is survived by wife Dureen; children Thomas D. Gasser, Myke Schwartz (Merv), Kathy Murchison (Jack) and Joseph Gasser; granddaughter Allison Barkela; great-grandchildren Eli and Erin; sisters Rosie Ethen and Marlene Tschida (Vern); and 10 nieces and nephews.
Ron is proceeded in death by his parents and 2 nephews. Ron’s sons will serve as urn bearers. St. Ignatius Music Ministry will provide the music for the service.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale, MN and Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, TX.
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