Ron Lake

Lake

Ronald Wayne Lake, the son of Willis and Marie (Vicha) Lake was born on May 4, 1950 in Cando, North Dakota. He died at the age of 64 years on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.

Ron grew up and attended school in several towns, including Wildrose, Rising, Knox and Wolford where he graduated, the class of 1969. While in high school, he was the student manager of the Wolford Wolves basketball team that took 2nd place in the State Class B basketball tournament that year. During those same years, he helped area farmers, assisted his father at the Wolford Elevator and helped his parents operate the Wolford Caf. In December of 1969 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received his basic training in San Diego, California. Ron became a member of the Navy’s Blue Jacket Choir and then went to radio operators training in Bainbridge, Maryland,. Following his training, he was then stationed at the US Naval Command Station in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Ron was honorably discharge from the U.S. Navy in December of 1975. Following his discharge, he returned to North Dakota and worked road construction and other odd jobs. On June 4, 1976, he was united in marriage to Michelle Voeller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox. The couple made their home in Rugby, where for the next 33 years Ron was head of maintenance services at the Haaland Estates, retiring in 2010. Never one to sit idle, he joined the Rugby Jaycees and was usually the host or MC of many functions, including the haunted house, socials, fishing derbys and loved attending conventions and was always the life of the party. His sense of humor was something to behold and usually had everyone in stitches. Ron served on the Rugby City Council for twelve years, did sports broadcasting for the local radio station for several years and was the announcer for the Geographical Center Speedway. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer.

Ron is survived by his wife of 38 years, Michelle; daughters, Erin (Darran) Mullahy of Palisades, New York; Jessie Lake and boyfriend, Mike Wendland of Rugby; grandsons, Jack and Frank Mullahy; a sister, Carole (William) Boner of Grand Forks; a brother, Raymond (Ilene) Lake of Littleton, Colorado; 24 nieces and nephews; his ‘other’ sister, Mitzi Hager of Fargo; other relatives; his special buddies, Ned and Baxter; and many friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerold and James; and his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26th at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery, Knox at 1:50 p.m. Father Tom Graner, Celebrant

Organist: Glenda Mack Music Vocals: Little Flower Church Choir

Casket Bearers: Raymond Lake, Jerry Jurena, Dennis Blessum, Charles Voeller, Rick Bruggeman, Tim Johnson

Honorary Bearers: Darran Mullahy, Mike Wendland, Bill Bosley, Gary Mundahl, Trevor Hiatt, Dan Sundby, Doug Feekes, Terry Grove, Jerry Kurtyka, nieces, nephews and all Ron’s hunting, fishing and golfing buddies

Military Honors Accorded by:The Clarence Larson American Legion Post # 23 Honor & Color Guard of Rugby, The North Dakota Military Funeral Honor Detail & US Navy Funeral Honors Detail.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com