Ronald Paul Uecker

of Buffalo, MN
October 5, 1937 – August 21, 2025
Visitation
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church – Buffalo, MN
Funeral Service
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
11:00 a.m.
with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service
St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church – Buffalo, MN
Interment
Lakeview Cemetery – Buffalo, MN
Ronald Paul Uecker, age 87 of Buffalo, loving father, husband, brother, and "Papa," entered eternal life with Jesus on August 21, 2025.
Ronald was born to Louis and Amelia (Linkert) Uecker on October 5, 1937 in Annandale, MN. He and his twin brother, Donald, were the youngest of 10 children.
He was baptized into Christ at home on October 5, 1937. He attended parochial school, and confirmed his Lutheran faith on June 3, 1951, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Middleville Township. He graduated from Maple Lake High School in 1955.
On June 11, 1960, Ron married Joyce Goerke at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. God blessed their marriage with three children, Jill, Lynn and Nick.
Ron began his working career at Peavey Grain Exchange as a traffic controller for 16 years. He then worked at Big Stone Canning Company for 19 years selling canned vegetables and later as a
salesman for Bush Brothers. Ron and Joyce experienced many moves around the country, which included Minneapolis, Maryland, Ortonville, eventually settling in Buffalo. After retirement, he and Joyce managed the Village Place Apartments for 22 years.
Throughout his life, Ron was a faithful church member who loved using his talents for the Lord. When the family moved to Buffalo in 1971, they joined St. John's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder, a choir member, and a youth Sunday School teacher. Ron coached the youth softball team and started Lenten soup suppers as a fundraiser for the youth programs. Ron never wavered in his belief that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Ron enjoyed vegetable gardening and playing games, especially 500, Cribbage, and Sequence. He had a passion for baseball that included coaching, playing catch with his son, attending his grandchildren's baseball and softball games, and cheering for the Minnesota Twins.
Ron deeply loved his family and was so proud of their educational and professional pursuits. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandsons grow and was very excited to meet his third great-grandchild this Fall. Vacations were special times together, including Arizona and Lutheran Island Camp. Throughout his life, he mentored children of all ages. Many will remember him for his calm patience, generous spirit, hard work ethic, as well as his funny "Papa-isms."
Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Mary; his daughter, Lynn Meredith; great-grandson, Isaac Johnson; parents, Louis and Amelia Uecker; and all his siblings, Arnold, Alvin, Herbert, Leona, Helen, Lester, Loretta, Ruth and Donald
He is survived by his loving children, Jill (David) Johnson and Nicolas (Stacy) Uecker; grandchildren, Peter (Stephanie) Johnson, Allison (Jeffrey Mason) Johnson, Elias, Olivia, Caden & Brandon Uecker; great grandsons, Lucas & Grant Johnson, and great granddaughter (coming soon); also many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to Noah's Ark Preschool at St John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN