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Ronald LeRoy Ditsworth

Kossuth County Advance - Staff Photo - Create Article

March 23, 1938 - January 9, 2025

Ronald “Ron” Ditsworth, 86 of Algona, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at his home in Algona. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Inurnment will take place at East Lawn Cemetery in Algona. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 4 until 7 p.m. at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Algona.

Ronald LeRoy Ditsworth, the son of LeRoy and Loretta (Heldt) Ditsworth, was born on March 23, 1938, in Algona. Ron attended the Third Ward Elementary School in Algona and graduated from Algona High School in 1956. On April 5, 1959, Ron was united in marriage to Luanna Mae Alt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Their early years of marriage were filled with motorcycle rides, bowling and square dancing, sometimes all night long. Soon the couple was blessed with two daughters, Pam and Jean.

Ron first worked at Percival Motors, reinforcing his love of cars and motorcycles he’d had since he was a young man. After several years, Ron became an employee at Sieg Auto Parts in Algona, eventually becoming manager and territory salesman. Ron worked for 36 years at Sieg and then worked for several years at Universal in Algona and Hy-Capacity in Humboldt before retiring. During his retirement, Ron and Lu made many wooden craft items and were part of multiple craft shows throughout Iowa.

When not working, Ron loved going on motorcycle trips with Lu. As his family grew, he convinced Lu to ride her own motorcycle and the family took trips every summer all over the United States, Jean behind her dad on his bike, Pam behind her mom on hers. After Pam and Jean were grown, Ron and Lu continued riding with their so-called “Retread” group of many dear friends.

His real love was the love he had for his family, especially his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. His family will forever remember his warm smile, his joy at being with family, his loving laugh and his love of chocolate marshmallow malts.

Left to cherish Ron’s memory are his wife of 65 years, Luanna; daughters: Pam (Scott) Narveson of Apple Valley, Minn. and Jean (Rodney) Davis of Algona; granddaughter: Tayler Davis of Algona; grandson: Christian Davis of Chicago, Ill. and great-granddaughter: Kinley Davis of Algona.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents: LeRoy and Loretta Ditsworth; father and mother in-law, Harry and Edna Alt and brother-in-law, Dean Willrett.

In Ron’s last weeks, he received the love and care of so many wonderful people of St. Croix Hospice. Each one was the recipient of his loving smile and grateful heart. Memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice, 310 13th Street South, Humboldt, IA 50548, in Ron’s honor.

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