March 14, 1936 - August 30, 2024
Ron was born to Ervin and Helen Gerber on March 14, 1936 in Algona and grew up on the family farm just southwest of Algona. After high school graduation, Ron enlisted in the Navy and spent most of his service at Cecil Field Naval Airport in Jacksonville, Fla.
Ron married Deanne Eisenbarth on Jan. 5, 1957, in their hometown of Algona. After completing his service in the Navy, Ron and Deanne returned home and began farming and raising cattle. He was president of the Kossuth County Cattleman’s Association for many years. Later, Ron and Deanne started a career in real estate. They moved to Highlands Ranch, Colo. in 1986, and started their own real estate company.
Ron loved all animals and was known for owning some unusual pets. It started with a monkey named Cheeta while in Florida. He then went from a fox to a coyote, to peacocks and everything in between. Ron also loved people. No one was a stranger to him.
Ron’s biggest passion was flying airplanes. He earned his private pilot license as a teenager and became a flight instructor later in life. He especially enjoyed flying his Bellanca Super Viking 300 and a Great Lakes stunt plane. Ron was a huge fan of the United States Blue Angels Naval flight demonstration team. He was proud to be invited to a pilot reception before an airshow and got to know the Blue Angels team personally. In 2017, he had an opportunity to tour what was once Cecil Airfield and see the Blue Angels fly in Jacksonville. This was over 60 years after he was honorably discharged and moved from Florida.
Ron was a dedicated Catholic and a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus with the position of Grand Knight for several years. He was proud to serve on multiple committees and started the tradition of giving roses to mothers of infants after their baptism at his parish.
Ron passed away on Aug. 30 surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, of 67 years of marriage, Deanne; daughter Michelle Smith of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; son John (Lois) of McCook Lake, S.D.; daughter Sheri Montoya of Broomfield, Colo.; daughter Brenda (Brett) Potthoff of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; daughter Paula (Mike) Fisk of Thornton, Colo.; 12 grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren; sister Beverly Kuecker; brother Robert (Joyce) Gerber; brother in-law Marvin Eisenbarth and sister in-law Delores Huber. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Ervin and Helen Gerber; daughter Ronda; granddaughters Lindsey Smith and Emma Gerber and son-in-laws Lanny Smith and Kenny Montoya.
A memorial service will be held Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. at Pax Christi Catholic Church located at 10675 Jaguar Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124. There will be a reception to follow. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to The Denver Hospice, Dumb Friends League animal shelter or the Knights of Columbus in Ronald’s name.