Ronald H. Thibault

Ronald H. Thibault

Ronald H. Thibault, Mountain Iron, formerly of Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minn.

Ron was born on December 17, 1937, and raised in Virginia, Minn. He graduated in June of 1955 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July of 1955. Ron was assigned to the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier as an MM (Machinist Mate) and made three Mediterranean cruises plus several other deployments. He became a Horned Shellback with a cruise around Cape Horn, South America.

After his Naval discharge in 1958, Ron attended Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis. He worked at Larson Chevrolet in Minneapolis. He married Joanne in 1961 and lived and worked in the Minneapolis area until 1976 when he and his wife moved their family back to Virginia. He worked at Martin Chevrolet in Virginia and later Ken Waschke's in Eveleth and Virginia for many years. He worked in the car business for over 40 years and held several positions as service writer, service manager and warranty claims.

Ron and his wife became partners in the Plaza Bowl bowling alley in Virginia in the early 1980's. From there, they owned and operated the Vermilion Club on Lake Vermilion, Tower from 1988-2000. Ron and his wife were very proud of the legacy they were able to create and met so many wonderful people along their journey.

Many years of fun boating and fishing while living on Lake Vermilion will always be a highlight of his life and he was able to share that with his wife, children and grandchildren.

In his retirement years, Ron's passion for golf led him to work at the Wilderness Golf Course in Tower as well as the Quarry and Legend courses at Giant's Ridge. Ron was a member of the Range Senior Golf League and Virginia and Babbitt Golf Courses and made many life-long friendships along the way.

Ron was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was blessed to have such a supportive and caring faith-filled community in his later years. He was also blessed to have formed great friendships with his neighbors in his condo retirement community.

Ron passed away on August 18, 2025. He always credited his longevity to Essentia Health system and his wonderful care team both in Virginia and Duluth. The family would like to thank Fairview Hospice (Hibbing) and Cornerstone Villa (Buhl) for their compassion and care for Ron.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne in 2022, son David in 2021, parents, Herman and Peggy Thibault, brother Armand, in-laws Joe and Mary Schommer, and brother-in-law Bill Schommer.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Shari Christenson of Virginia, son Michael Thibault (Debra) of Hugo, daughter- in-law Gloria Thibault of Texas, grandchildren Megan and Ryan of Virginia, Tess Thibault of Richfield and Tyler Thibault of Hugo, sister-in-law Judy Mattson of Eveleth, brother in-law and sister in-law Wayne and Teri Billings of Arizona, brother-in-law Joe Schommer, and special friend Pete Opland (Carolyn) of Biwabik, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial mass will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia with Rev. Fr. Daniel Hammer and Rev. Fr. Eamonn Boland as celebrants. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Saginaw.

Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.