1937
Ronald
2008
Ronald Lindquist
July 12, 1937 — December 8, 2008
In the hands of God, and in the company of his loving family and the caring staff of Minnewaska Lutheran Home, Ronald Russell Lindquist, devoted husband, father and grandfather passed peacefully from this earth the evening of Monday, December 8, 2008. He was 71 years of age.
Ron was born in Hector, Minnesota on July 12, 1937 to Russell and Clara (Blondell) Lindquist, and was the oldest of three children. He moved with his family as a young boy to Morris, Minnesota, where he was raised. He graduated from Morris High School in 1955, where he earned several varsity letters for athletics, participated in band, and gained the title of “Class Cut-up”. These diverse traits would serve him well in his later years as he endeared himself to many with his remarkable sense of humor and wit, and earned the respect of many more with his intellect and sense of fairness.
He continued his education at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in June, 1959. He was the first member of his family to earn a Post-secondary degree. While at UND, he was very active in Student Life as well as Greek Life. He was a member of the President’s Cabinet, and also a proud member of the Delta Mu Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, where he served as the Steward/House Manager, and held the offices of Grand Master of Ceremonies as well as Grand Scribe. He was also Program Director for the “Flickertail Follies”—a Greek Organization-wide theatrical production held annually at the University.
He often said in later years, “Without Kappa Sigma, I’m not sure I would have finished school. It was a home away from home.”
Upon graduating, Ron embarked on his career. His first position was with the Federal Government, working with the US Department of Labor in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He then moved to the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, where he worked as a Statistician in the Advertising Department. It was at the Star and Tribune where he found the two loves of his life: Journalism and the Printer’s ink; and his wife of over 47 years, Ann (Lilly) Lindquist.
On November 25, 1961, the two were united in Holy Matrimony. Shortly thereafter, they journeyed back to Morris, where he worked for a short time for Esser Motors, before again entering the newspaper business, this time at the Morris Sun and Tribune. He worked for seventeen years for the Sun and Tribune, eventually becoming the paper’s General Manager, and writing a weekly column of insight and humor entitled, “As I See It.”
While in Morris, he was also an active member of the community. He was active in Lion’s Club; was the founder and first commissioner of the Morris Little League Baseball program; was a co-founder and president of the University of Minnesota-Morris “Cougar Club” booster organization; served for several years as a member of the UMM football “Chain Gang”; and on Autumn Friday evenings refereed High School football games, having done so for 25 seasons.
Ron and Ann were blessed with three children: John in 1967, Jim in 1968, and Jennifer in 1975. Through all of his achievements, he was proudest of all of being a loving husband and father.
In 1981, Ron and Ann purchased the Starbuck Times in Starbuck, Minnesota. As they entered into business partnership and adopted Starbuck as their new home town, the town quickly adopted them, as well. Ron quickly and willingly became the butt of an ongoing joke as the ninth Swedish Family allowed into Starbuck on a quota of ten. He would gain further delight when Ann would remind all that he earned special dispensation because she was half Norwegian.
While at The Times, Ron repeated his business success and civic activity. He joined the local chapter of the Lions, and again founded and served as first commissioner of the Starbuck Little League Baseball program. He also served for several years on the Hospital Board, where he was instrumental in the development of the Holly Ridge Assisted Living Facility.
Ron won several Minnesota Newspaper Association awards for Journalistic excellence while at the Times, including: Editorial Page as a Whole; Sports Page as a Whole; and in 1987, the prestigious Herman V. Roe Memorial Editorial award, given to the top single editorial column in the State.
Shortly after retiring from the Newspaper Business, in 2002, Ron earned a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Dakota, and was inducted into the Delta Mu Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s Hall of Fame. He then turned his focus to being grandpa to what was at the time a growing number of grandchildren.
In his later working years, and throughout his retirement, Ron fought a courageous battle against Parkinson’s disease. He strenuously held on to his pastimes of golf, fishing, and travel for as long as he was able. Prior to a stroke in 2004, he and Ann would routinely spend a winter month in the Tucson/Green Valley, Arizona area where they would enjoy golf, winery visits, and taking friends and family to tourist attractions such as Tombstone and the Sedona Canyon. Even as the disease took a greater toll on him, he would always brighten up for his grandkids, and become a big, playful teddy bear, who was always good for some hugs and giggles.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Clara (Blondell) Lindquist. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Lilly) Lindquist – Starbuck, Minnesota; children John (wife, Patty; daughter Megan; son Tommy) – West Fargo, North Dakota; Jim (wife, Heather; son Sammy; daughter Emma) – Lakeville, Minnesota; Jennifer (Metz) (husband, Nathan; daughter Sydney; daughter Rylee; son Tyson) – Starbuck, Minnesota; sister Karen (Herman) – Plymouth, Minnesota; brother Chuck (Pam) Lindquist – Minnetonka, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Pallbearers are: Roger Pederson, Wally McCollar, Jim Hruby, Jacob Bryce, Gene Tonn, and Rick Lindquist. Honorary Pallbearers are the Starbuck Lions Club.
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