Ronald Fred Engelking

ronald fred engelking
The service will be livestreamed below starting 15 minutes prior to the service.
https://vimeo.com/event/723372 We mourn the passing of Ronald “Ron” Engelking who died on February 15th at the age of 89 at Sheyenne Crossings Long Term Care Center in West Fargo, ND. He was assisted by Hospice of the Red River Valley with his daughter Lori, son Rod, and daughter-in-law Jeanne by his side. Ron leaves behind his four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate Ron’s life and hold in our hearts the many warm memories we have of him. Ron was born in Buffalo, ND, on October 11, 1931 to Reuben and Martha (Stanhope) Engelking, the second of three sons. He was raised in Fargo where he graduated from Fargo Central High School (1949), and was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir as a young man. Ron was a handsome guy who met his wife-to-be at a church picnic where he almost threw her in the lake. Jerada Biersdorff, “Jerri,” claimed that it was not a good first impression, but he eventually won her heart and they married in 1952, shortly before he was drafted into the army. They had four children and were married for almost fifty years when he lost Jerri to cancer in 2001. Ron never got over that loss and missed Jerri every single day. Their first child was born on the army base at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his military service, Ron was singled out for a top secret mission due to his ability to drive a truck. He was charged with transporting and firing the first atomic cannon, known as “Atomic Annie,” in the Nevada desert, a weapon that was ultimately never used. After the service, Ron and Jerri returned to Fargo where he drove truck for the Nash Finch Company and was a salesman for Libby Glassware. He was eventually hired by the Thomas J. Lipton Company, working as a salesman for them until his retirement in 1990. Ron spent many long hours on the road as a salesman for Lipton and was active in the Fargo-Moorhead Grocery Manufacturers Association as well as the Elks and American Legion. During all his years on the road, often driving in miserable weather conditions, Ron was proud to say that he never had a single accident. Ron was an active and social guy with a repertoire of sayings that would always make you laugh no matter how many times you heard them. People often referred to him as a “great guy” and meant it. He was a gifted athlete especially known in fast-pitch softball as a dynamic pitcher and hitter. In fact, he was playing ball when the 1957 tornado struck Fargo and, according to Jerri, refused to stop the game despite the wailing of tornado sirens until the last minute. He enjoyed golf and bowling, did his share of hunting and snowmobile riding, but fishing was his sport of choice. He had albums and albums of photos from the many fishing trips he took with his buddies over the years to show for it. Ron especially loved the water; he claimed that he learned to swim by jumping in the Red River as a kid. In 1968, he purchased a lake cabin on Tamarac Lake in Minnesota where his kids all learned to ski and spent many hours working on lake-cottage improvement projects supervised by Ron. He called their place “Ron & Jerri’s Passion Pit of Paradise, “and it was. They were terrific and generous hosts, and weekends at the lake were filled with family and friends busy with swimming, fishing, skiing, feeding the chipmunks, savoring cook outs and fish fries, and playing hours of cards and board games—a legacy that is being continued by his grandkids and great-grandkids. When it came to cards, Ron was especially competitive and liked to win. He was a cuddly grandpa who could always sing crabby babies to sleep; Ron had a wonderful singing voice and was an amazing whistler. Good humored and friendly till the end, Ron will be missed by all who knew him. Ron is survived by his brother Wayne (Barb) Engelking of Fort Towson, OK, his children Rod (Jeanne) Engelking of West Fargo, Tama Engelking of Shaker Heights, OH, Marlin (Aurora) Engelking of Erie, CO, and Lori (Mark) Van Beek of Moorhead, MN; his grandchildren Kristin (Micah) Frost of Horace, ND, Ronald (Erika) Engelking and Timothy Engelking, of West Fargo, ND, Jenny Theusch of Otsego, MN , Jarred (Priscillia) Engelking of Irving, TX, Nickolas (Maddie) Van Beek of Fargo, Maxfield Bennett of Fukuoka, Japan, and Annalise Bennett of Columbus, OH; eight great-grandchildren (Gavin, Harper, Josie, Lucy, Connor, Ellie, Lily and Molly) and many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his wife Jerri, his parents, his brother Roy, and his granddaughter Amanda Engelking. A Prayer Service will be held at 5 pm on Sunday, February 21st at Boulger Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 4 pm. A funeral will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Monday, February 22nd, at 11 am, followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. For those unable to attend, both services will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley and/or Homeward Animal Shelter. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center.

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  1. To Ron’s family sorry for your loss. We had a lot of fun with your Mom and Dad for many year’s. RIP Ron. Lowell and Char

  2. I am so sorry for your loss of your dad. He was a fun, loving man. My husband and he were good friends for many years. His wife, your mom, was a wonderful sweet fun person. She had the most beautiful smile. I’ve known many of your kids personally, and I am so sorry you lost your dad. We had many fun times together at GMR picnics etc.

  3. Rodney and family,
    My deepest sympathy for your loss. I have many memories of your Dad my uncle and all of the cousins. Summer reunions and the lake house. So many good times. Thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
    Your cousin Vicki

  4. Rod and family

    Sorry for the passing of your dad. We spent a lot of time together on the road and will miss Ron. Take care and Ron rest in peace.

  5. Thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time as you prepare to lay Ron to rest.
    I recall our parents friendship and our trips to the lake cabin on Tamarac Lake and swapping Shasta pop for Lipton tea and etc.
    Please know I am thinking of you guys.

  6. To Ron’s family – sorry to hear about Ron’s passing. Dianne and I are remembering all of the good times that we had with your dad and Gerry, at the lake, new years eve parties, GMR functions, and hearts games on the road. Dianne loved dancing a waltz with Ron.
    Rest in peace old friend.

  7. We are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a special person to me. We would see each other at store resets and again at social events. He always greeted you with a smile and a good visit. These are great memories. I so enjoyed both Ron and Jerry and will keep them always in my heart. Even though I haven’t seen Ron for a long while, it is sad to say good-bye. Blessings and Peace to Ron’s Family.

  8. So sorry for your loss Rod, Jeanne and family. I always enjoyed working beside Ron at resets as he was quite the story teller. RIP Ron !

  9. Family of Ron Engelking. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so glad to have known Ron and Jerri. We have many good memories of time spent with them. Thank you for sharing how Ron and Jerri met. It brought on a smile when we read that. May Ronnie rest in peace. A life well lived.
    Keith and Sally Krogen

  10. Rod, sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, I am sure i met him when I was very young on 5th Avenue at your house. I didn’t realize you were also on Tamarac Lake, sounds like great memories there. Thoughts and prayers are with you! Brad Wimmer

  11. Myself and my family are very saddened to hear of the passing of your father. Please except our deepest sympathy for your loss. From what I can remember, your dad was a humorous fun loving person.
    Our thoughts and prays are with you and yours.

    Douglas and Andera Tessier and family

  12. Dear Marlin,Aurora and all of Ronald Engelking’s family,

    Ted and I want to offer our condolences ! It is obvious that Ronald and his wife Jeri , raised a wonderful family! Ronald will live on through his children and grandchildren. May the special memories of Ronald bring you comfort! RIP dear Ronald!

  13. Lori,

    We here at First Transit are so sorry for your loss and can only offer our prayers for You and Your Family at this difficult time.

  14. Grandpa your always in my heart. I love you always and know your now up with grandma watching over everyone. Love you, Jenny and Gavin (great-grandson)

  15. So sorry for your great loss. Rest in eternal peace Grandpa Engelking ✝️🙏🏻
    Sending love from Colorado
    The Diachok Family

  16. Rod and Family, we are so sad to hear of Ronnies passing. I had the PRIVELAGE to work with him in the grocery business and MANY resets. May the lord watch over you ALL!!
    Ron and Carol Cich

  17. I’m so sorry to here about uncle Ronnie. He was always a pleasure to be with. He was very kind and always had a smile for us kids. The fish fries at the lake cabin and him and grandpa Roy playing cribbage and the boat rides. Hugs to you all. Take care. ❤ Todd


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