In Loving Memory
Ronald A. Struthers
March 14, 1933 - November 20, 2021

VISITATION
Friday, November 26, 2021
Noon- 1:30 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Friday, November 26, 2021
1:30 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

INURNMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Ronald Allen Struthers  was born in Rolfe, Iowa on March 14, 1933 to Okalena Mae Willard and Floyd Enith Struthers. Ronnie was raised on a farm south of Ayrshire, Iowa throughout his school years. It was 1951 when he turned 18 and he had to sign up for the draft. Ron stated, "I wasn't worried about getting drafted, I was worried about getting the crops in." He knew his number was getting close.  In 1950, the United States went to the aid of South Korea in repelling an invasion by North Korea and China in what began the Korean War.  On November 18th, 1953 Ron's number was called and he had to report for basic training. At the time Ron had been farming near Emmetsburg. Ron and his high school sweetheart, Evon, were married on April 19th, 1953; and the newlyweds quickly had their life rearranged.   Ron was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where he would spend 80 days training for combat in Korea with 1200 other men in the battalion. Upon completion of Combat Engineer Training, the entire unit went home on a few days leave before shipping out.  When they returned, they met in a large group and heard 19 names called out.  Ron's name was one of them, and he later learned that he and the other 18 were being sent to Cook School.  The rest of the unit shipped out to Korea for 18 months.  Ron remained at Fort Leonard Wood as a Cook there..  At the end of his two years of service, Ron transferred from active duty in the Army to the Army Reserves, where he served until October 31st, 1961. During his time in Missouri, Ron and Evon became parents to their son Randy Allen, who was born on the Army Base in Fort Leonard Wood. After Ron was discharged Ron continued to  farm, and in 1958 Evon gave birth to their second child, Shelley Lynn..

In the early 60's Ron changed professions and was soon named the manager of the Graettinger Telephone Company, where he remained until 1973.  Soon after Ron took a job as the Cumberland Telephone Manager in Cumberland, Iowa and moved the family to Southwest Iowa, where he remained until after retiring.

A few short years after retiring, Ron and Evon sold their home in Cumberland, and bought a fifth  wheel and 30 foot camper and lived on the road for several years. They traveled from  Florida to Arizona, from New York to Washington State, and finally decided to set down roots near Mission, Texas. They then split  their time between wintering in the Texas Valley and summers in Iowa in the Ruthven/Spencer area.

Ron developed a love for horses at a young age, working with them on the farm with his dad and granddad.  His passion only grew over the years, where he raised and bred Quarter Horses, training and showing them from Minnesota to Texas.  He also loved to dance. He and Evon often went dancing on many Saturday nights with dear friends nearly all of the 68 years they were married. Ron also loved to cook for others.  His rolled roasts cooked on a spit hung over charcoal on his Weber Kettle Grill was a favorite by many. Ron also loved sweets and his freezer was always stocked with Schwan ice cream bars, which the grandkids were always treated to whenever at grandpa and grandma's.  He also enjoyed cooking breakfasts at the American Legion where he was a member all his adult life.  Ron was very patriotic, very proud of his military service, loved his country, the flag, and his fellow veterans.

Ron passed away on Saturday, November 20th, 2021.  Ron had been suffering from dementia and was a resident of Manning Senior Living, in Manning, IA less than two months after losing his wife Evon on  September 26th this year. Ronnie was also preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Marilyn Overmire.

Ron is survived by his children, Randy Struthers of  Ruthven, Iowa and Shelley Helmich of Templeton, Iowa; five grandchildren and great  grandchildren, Sarah (Josh) Naig and her son, Cade; Robert (Courtney) Struthers and  their children Grace Evon, Rhett, and Roy; Stacey (Stan) Rolenc and their children  Weston, Garrett, Rhenn and Tessa; Adam Becker and his son, Cameron; Ashley (Joe)  Myers and their children Caden and Dylan Myers.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home