Ronald Charles Kroner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald (Ron) Kroner of Mapleton. Ron was born February 9th, 1951, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church.

Ron grew up in Wisconsin and moved with his family to Minnesota. Ron worked many jobs touching the lives of others. Ron worked as landlord, Milwaukee Envelope, Fine Impressions and a security guard at ADM. In his off hours Ron would help his neighbors and family as a regular old Jack of all Trades.

Ron was married to both Wilhelmina (Sargent) and then Debra (Manning) for several great years. Ron grew a large family and loved everyone. Ron cared about his family more than anything else. Ron would often talk about the time he and his brother spent in a boy’s home in Wisconsin. And it was from these experiences that imprinted the importance of family which he passed down to his children and grandchildren.

Ron was a funny and caring man who would always have a story or history fact ready to go. If there was something that Ron loved more than family, it was history. Going to any historical site or museum with him, meant that you were taking your time and would see THE ENTIRE museum. Ron was able to travel to different sites like the USS Arizona Memorial, The Titanic Museum and Mankato’s own Hubbard House.

Ron routinely hosted family firepits and made sure that no one brought two dishes that were the same, and if they did, he made them leave and come back with something different. Ron was very proud of his garden and would often complain about the rabbits eating his tomatoes. Ron spent weeks fuming about the rabbits and even rebuilt his fence multiple times. It has only been found out recently that his animal loving granddaughter (who is now a Veterinary Technician) had been letting the rabbits into his garden “because they were hungry”.

While later in life, Ron’s health did decline and the need to have hospital stays and many clinic visits. Ron happened to land in hospitals that his eldest granddaughter worked at as a Registered Nurse. While Ron was a private man, she had heard him one night while working and soon became the “straw police” as she had told everyone of her nursing coworkers that he was not allowed to have straws, Ron of course knew this but that stubborn streak in him made him “forget” to tell his nursing staff this fact. And who can blame Ron for being stubborn when sometimes great food, family and drinks are what makes life great.

Ron’s other grandchildren help their parents take care of their younger siblings, and nieces. Again, instilling the importance of family in even the youngest of his grandchildren. When his children and grandchildren got older and started to build their lives, Ron made sure they had a special cup that was only for him at their house for when he visited. This cup was for his signature drink of milk with ice cubes in it.

Ron’s life was filled with many who made it special to him. One in particular is his dog Bandit who now is without his best friend. Ron also found many friends in his life, such as renters who became lifelong friends.

Ron knew that families grow in many ways, when a family friend became another son. That son added two grandchildren and a daughter-in-law. They were responsible for helping Ron live at home and continue to fill everyone’s lives with joy.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Catherine Kroner and his brother Andy (Andrew Kroner).

Ron is survived by Willie Sargent, Debra Manning, Eric Kroner (Melissa Alam), Amy Grewe, Andrew Jandert (Cassandra) and Cora James; grandchildren: Heather Allen (Thomas), Katelyn Grewe (Lucas Pautzke) Jordon Kroner, Nicolas Linder, Sami Grewe, Trisha Grewe, Zoiey Grewe, Deszrae Jandert, and Raisa Jandert; great grandchildren: Kensley Allen, Aiden Allen, and Charlotte Allen.

If one thing can be learned from such a full life it is that “Family is not an important thing, It’s Everything” – Michael J. Fox