Ronald Herbert Rukstad's Obituary
Ronald Herbert Rukstad, 69, was called home on November 1, 2016, with his family by his side. Ron was born February 10, 1947, in Watertown, S. D. to Burdette and Dorothy Rukstad. He graduated from Northern State College in Aberdeen, S. D. where he received his teaching degree. He taught for one year before joining the Air Force where he served his country during the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his service he entered into the senior living industry where he was an Executive Director for many years before becoming a top level management specialist. He would go on to form Monarch Management Services which he later sold to CRSA. While at CRSA he took on the Management responsibilities as an Executive Vice President of Operations. He successfully managed and operated over 46 communities in 22 states. His passion for providing quality care for all those he had the honor to serve is what made him successful in his career. What made him successful in life was the adoring love he possessed for his wife of 49 years, Joni. Their relationship was the foundation of who they were and who their children are today. Ron believed that love is our greatest gift and we not only have the ability to demonstrate it every day but the responsibility to do so. Every note or letter he ever wrote to his beloved was signed “Forever and Always”. He was the highest quality of a man and an example to all those who knew him. If asked what were his passions, it’s simple, his faith, where he proudly served his church, The Catholic Church of the Incarnation as a Eucharistic Minister and his family. Mr. Rukstad is survived by his mother, Dorothy Rukstad; 1 sister, Jan Price; 1 brother, Greg Rukstad; 2 sons and their spouses, Jeff and Jennifer Rukstad and Kevin and Melissa Rukstad; 3 daughters and their spouses, Lori and Steve Cohen, Michelle and Von Priggel, and Jennifer Rukstad; and his amazing wife, Joni Rukstad along with their 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Burdette Rukstad. He was the greatest man any of us knew and ever will know. So we now say to our son, brother, father, papa and husband that “You will be with us forever and always”. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday, November 5 followed by a Memorial Mass at The Catholic Church of the Incarnation. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The Village at Germantown Foundation or The Woman’s Exchange of Memphis. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.”
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?