Ronald John De Weerd

ROCK VALLEY, IOWA – Ronald John De Weerd, age 69, of Rock Valley, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

   Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Gideon Wamala officiating. Private family burial at Valley View Cemetery will precede the memorial service. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the church. The wearing of masks is mandatory at the visitation and highly recommended at the memorial service, with social distancing at all times. The Memorial Service will be live streamed on the church website at www.calvincrcrv.org. The Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

   Ronald’s family prefers, in lieu of flowers and gifts, that you make a donation to a local Christian School in his memory.

   Ron was born in Orange City, Iowa on January 24, 1951 to John and Anna (Draayer) De Weerd. After graduating from Sioux Center Christian Grade School and Western Christian High School, Ron worked in the construction trade, building houses with his uncle. On July 6, 1973, he married Joy Vander Molen in Manhattan, Montana. They made their home in Sioux Center, Iowa before moving to their current residence south of Rock Valley in 1982. Ron was involved in farming his entire life, working with his dad and brother and always taking great pride in caring for the land entrusted to him. Ron enjoyed riding motorcycle, fishing, and attending his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. He was a talented woodworker, always crafting impressive new pieces for the entire family, which we now remember him by. A man of great faith, Ron was a long-time member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley where he served as deacon and elder. He was passionate about Christian education and served on the Western Christian School Board.

   Ron is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Joy; their five children, Brian De Weerd of Rock Valley; Jeff and Abby De Weerd of Rock Valley and their children McKenna, Kylan, Brynn and Dawson; Lisa and Justin Gaiser of Johnston, Iowa and their children Drew, Hailey, Brayden, Hunter and Bryce; Dan and Samantha De Weerd of Hull, Iowa and their children Oliver and Simon; Jon and Kelsey De Weerd of Burbank, California and their children Raven and Ava. Ron is also survived by his siblings, Delores and Lawrence Van Grootheest of Rock Valley, Leanne De Weerd of Waterford, Wisconsin, Glen De Weerd of Rock Valley and friend Barb Argo, Mark and Sherry De Weerd of Springfield, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Edith Vander Molen; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Connie and John De Vries, Shirley and Kent Flikkema, Donna and Bob Stump, Lori and Lonnie Meyer; and brother-in-law, Tim and wife Kathy Vander Molen all of Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   Ron was preceded in death by infant daughter, Sherri; his parents, John and Anna; and father-in-law, Cornie Vander Molen.