SHEETZ, Ronald J., age 94

Died: Sunday, July 29th, 2018

Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Celebration Church (16655 Kenyon Ave.) in Lakeville, MN

Interment: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN with full Military Honors

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred

Ronald J. Sheetz, age 94, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

He was born on April 27, 1924 in Duluth, Minnesota to Harry Edgar and Rowena Palmer (nee Hammitt) Sheetz. Ron and his family lived on various farms until 1940 when his father purchased the historic Scott Farm on Lac La Belle near Carlton, MN.

Ron attended Wrenshall High School and graduated in 1943. He was a star basketball player. Following graduation, he received a degree in business from the Duluth Business University. During WWII, Ron served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lt. Ron loved flying and continued to fly his P-38 Bonanza throughout his life.

He married Patricia Krueger in 1945. In 1958, Ron purchased Stoltz Cleaners in St. Paul, Minnesota which he owned for 33 years. Ron married Marilyn King Kramer on July 20, 1979. They lived in the Twin Cities before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. Ron and Marilyn then moved to Hastings, Minnesota where they built, owned and operated the AmericInn Motel for 18 years. Following the sale of the AmericInn, they moved to Branson, Missouri. In 2013, Ron and Marilyn moved to Eau Claire, WI to be closer to family as Ron's Alzheimer progressed. During their 39 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling and their little Yorkie dogs, Penny and Gracie.

Ron is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Debi Sanderson; grandchildren, Kim Rivera and Kyle Brown; great-grandchildren, Maegan and Jacob Rivera; nephews and niece, Thomas (Renae) Sheetz, James Sheetz, and Kathryn (Jerry) Nisula. He is also survived by Marilyn's children, Terry (Betsy) Kramer, Sue Jensen, Mike (Reine) Kramer and Jackie (Jim) Holewinski; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marilyn Brown; brother, Donald (Doris) Sheetz; and niece, Diana Carlson.