Ronald L. Stratton

Ronald L. Stratton, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his farm that he loved near Collins, Iowa.
Born on July 18, 1930, in rural Collins to Thomas and Irene (Dodd) Stratton, Ronald enjoyed riding horses, baseball, and track. He graduated from Collins High School in 1948.
Ronald enlisted in the Air Force in December 1948, serving in Japan after WWII and in Korea as an airframe repairman for B-26 and B-29 aircraft. He returned home in 1952.
In 1952, Ronald married Margaret Maxwell at Collins United Methodist Church. They farmed south of Collins, raising five children. Ronald farmed in the beginning with horses all the way to the advancement of GPS (he never could understand how you could plant corn and beans without markers). He milked cows, raised livestock, and baled countless acres of hay, filling many of the neighbors' barns with square bales.
Ronald is survived by sons Dennis (Nancy) Stratton of rural Collins and Wayne (Eva) Stratton of Davenport, daughter Karen Stratton of Collins, daughter-in-law Dian Stratton of Collins, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Margaret; his parents; sister Carolyn Anderson; and sons James Craig and Neal Keith.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. The funeral service is Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Ashton Chapel (8887 W 122nd Street) in rural Mingo, followed by burial with military honors at Collins Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Collins American Legion or Collins Fire and Rescue.
Ronald was a devoted family man, farmer, and community member. His life of hard work and love will be deeply missed.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the arrangements for Ronald. Condolences may be shared online at www.rasmussonfh.com.