Ronald was born October 27, 1933 in Winneshiek County, Iowa to Alfred “Art” and Edna (Erickson) Bjertness. He attended school in Canton and then graduated from the Harmony High School in 1951. He worked for Elmer Peterson Implement until 1960 when he opened the Southside Service in Harmony. In 1964 he became a partner in Harmony Motor Service and operated that until 1978. He then was an engineer for Harmony Enterprises for 19 years. In retirement he did lawn care and snow removal, and helped transport Amish around the area.
In 1957 he married Luella Fokken and they later divorced. On February 14, 1991 he married Nelda (Kiehne) Wolff . He was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church where he had served as trustee for several years. He was also a former member of the Harmony Business Association and had been a Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed working on small engines and antique tractors, watching his grandchildren, and traveling.
Ronald passed away Friday, September 24, 2010 at the Gundersen Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin at the age of 76.
Ronald is survived by his wife Nelda of Harmony; three children Richard (Laurie) of Harmony, Cris (Jim) Manke of Cashton, Wisconsin, and Rachel (Dan) Engelhardt of Shorewood, Minnesota; two step-children Greg (Julie) Wolff of Monona, Iowa, and Bill (LouAnn) Wolff of Coon Valley, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren Jennifer (Mark) Sletten of Waukon, Iowa, Melissa Snow of Ft. Lewis, Washington, Ben Snow of Auburndale, Wisconsin, Steven Snow stationed in Afghanistan, Julia, James, and Joseph Engelhardt of Shorwood, and Anna and Ella Bjertness of Harmony; five step-grandchildren Jordan Henkels and Jaden Wolff of Monona, Iowa, Elizabeth (Andre) Schmidt of Tucson, Arizona, Kent Larson of Westby, Wisconsin, and Heather Job of Coon Valley; several great grandchildren; two sisters Mavis (Robert) Hendrickson of Excelsior, Minnesota, and Lorraine Reichert of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; three sister-in-laws Carol (Walt) Ward, Diane Torgerson, and Marilyn Norton all of Harmony; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Doris Franke.
Memorial services will be 1 PM Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in rural Harmony with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Inurnment will be in the Henrytown Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 Tuesday at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the Church. |
