Ronald Dean Engelhardt, 77, known by many as “the ice cream man”, of Elkader, died Friday, January 10, 2020, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born October 7, 1942, in Farmersburg, to Wendel Fred and Ivanelle (Kraus) Engelhardt. Ron was baptized on October 18, 1942, at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg and confirmed on May 20, 1956 at St. Paul Lutheran church in Monona. He graduated from MFL Community School at Monona.
On February 22, 1975, he was united in marriage to Rosemary Teresa Toale at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader. The couple made their home in Elkader. Ron was employed by Miller Ice Cream Company for a number of years where he worked in manufacturing and sales – thus the name “the ice cream man”. Later he started his own family business R and R. Dairy.
Ron was a member of several community organizations over the years: Elkader Fire Department for 15 years, Elkader Lions Club, he was a Charter member of the Red Horse Fisheree, Elkader Golf Club, Vision 2000 and the Clayton County Fair Board.
Survivors include his wife Rosemary of Elkader; his children Jeffrey Ronald Engelhardt, Kristine Anne (Pete) Nelsen, Kimberley Sue (Tim) Heller, Joan Ellen (Robert) Frieden, and Brian Jeffrey (Amanda) Engelhardt; 17 grandchildren; and one sister Sharon Lee Schlitter.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation: 3 to 6 PM – Tuesday, January 14, 2020, and after 10 AM on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, all at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader
Funeral Service: 11:00AM – Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Bethany Lutheran Church – Elkader
Inurnment: East Side Cemetery, Elkader
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family with arrangements.