Ronald Duane Truesdill, age 67, of River Falls, passed away on Sept. 20, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was born on April 30, 1957, in River Falls, Wis., the son of Gordon and Verna Mae (Ray) Truesdill. Ron attended Sunnyside Elementary School near Ellsworth and graduated from Ellsworth High School in the Class of 1976.
On May 9, 1987, Ron married Jane Ann Nelson at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. This union was blessed with two children, Rachel and Adam. Ron worked as a heavy equipment operator for Andersen Windows, where he was proud to be a member of the esteemed Quarter Century Club, having dedicated 37 years to the company.
Growing up on the family farm near Beldenville instilled in Ron a deep love for the land and a strong work ethic. He was always ready for a road trip, often exploring the area around Lake Pepin—believed to have never taken the same road twice! Ron was a devoted fan of Wisconsin sports, cheering for the Green and Gold, the Brewers, and of course, Bucky Badger. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing football and wrestling.
One of his favorite pastimes was spending time at the family cabin on Viola Lake, where he cherished evenings filled with grilling, pontoon rides with Jane, bobber fishing, and enjoying an ice-cold Coors Light. Locally, Ron valued camaraderie and friendship with his buddies at Mel’s and looked forward to annual deer hunting trips with friends and family, often more focused on checking in on others than on hunting itself.
Ron will be lovingly remembered by his family, including his wife, Jane; his children, Rachel (Jeremie Scherrick) Truesdill of Lino Lakes and Adam Truesdill of River Falls; his mother, Verna Mae Truesdill of River Falls; his siblings, Gordy Jr. “Butch” Truesdill of Roberts, Barb Truesdill of River Falls, Cindy (Todd) Sturgul of Milltown, Raymond (Gina) Truesdill of Beldenville, and Gail Tinney of Osceola; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joyce (Gary) Reidel of Hudson, Richard (Sandy) Nelson of North Hudson, Gerry Nelson of Hudson, James (Marie) Nelson of New Richmond, David (Bobbie) Nelson of Excelsior, Minn., Dennis Nelson of Oregon, his best little buddies Connor and Myles Sherrick; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; his infant sister, Sandra; his sister-in-law, Faye Nelson; and his parents-in-law, Chuck and Rita Nelson.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in River Falls. Interment will be private. Memorials are preferred at the discretion of the family.
Cremation and memorial services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-425-5644.
