GRUHN
Ronald W. “Ron”, age 67, of Apple Valley, passed away on April 15, 2014 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ron was born on February 24, 1947 in Hartley, IA to William & Velma Gruhn. He graduated from Hartley High School in 1965 and attended Mankato Business College in Mankato, MN. Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and served 13 months in Vietnam. Upon returning to the U.S. he attended Minneapolis School of Business. In 1970 he worked as an accountant for Fairway Foods which later became Holiday Companies.

On August 7, 1971 Ron married Ronda Brendle. Their first daughter Emily was born on November 4, 1976. They made their home in Golden Valley and had their second daughter, Betsy on March 13, 1981. After 25 years with Holiday, Ron switched careers and worked for General Delivery. He retired in 2009 due to his illness.

Anyone who knew Ron knew he had the most generous, kind heart. No one was as neat, tidy and organized as Ron. If you needed to get anywhere in the city he was the guy to ask, a walking GPS. When it came to sports statistics, forget Google, he had all the answers. His passions were family, golf, gambling and following sports. He was an avid Hawkeyes and Vikings fan. In 2007 his journey fighting cancer began, but he was also blessed with two lively grandsons, Peyton and Brigg that same year. He always thought he wanted boys but after experiencing the energy level of little boys he was thankful for his girls.

Ron is preceded in death by his father, William; mother, Velma; sister, Marlys and nephew, Tracy. He is survived by his wife, Ronda; his daughters, Emily and Betsy; his grandsons, Peyton and Brigg; two brothers, Wendall and Gale; and his in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Ron will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 12 NOON at the Mississippi Dunes Golf Links, 10351 Grey Cloud Trail South, Cottage Grove, MN (651-768-9263) with a gathering of Family and Friends on Monday, April 21 from 5-7 PM at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 147th and Garrett Ave., Apple Valley and also 1 hour prior to the service at Mississippi Dunes. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Interment in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at 1:45 PM, meet in Lane #2.