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Ronald “Ron” Lee Dierenfield, 85, of Storm Lake died Dec. 23, 2025, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, Jan. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 2, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Ronald was born May 15, 1940, the son of Walter and LaVerne (Ahart) Dierenfield in Storm Lake. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Schaller on Sept. 22, 1940, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake on June 13, 1954. Ron attended country school in the Schaller area until his father bought a farm north of Storm Lake. He then attended school in Truesdale, graduating in 1958. It was then that Ron began his 60 year farming career along with serving in the Army National Guard until 1966.
On Sept. 3, 1961, Ron was united in marriage to Ellen Herzberg at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta. To this union, three children were born: Linda, Susan and Russell.
Ron’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta where he served in many offices, including elder and Sunday School superintendent. He was a beloved Sunday School teacher and enjoyed competing on the Dartball team. Ron looked forward to couple’s club and singing in the church choir. Most recently, he was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake where he served as vice chairman.
In his younger years, Ron served on the Alta Co-op Board and was active in Albert City Threshermen. He was passionate about collecting tractors and restoring them. In his free time, Ron enjoyed going golfing and participating in couple’s golf league, playing cards and game nights with friends and family, and bowling on the Alta Bowling league. Ballroom dancing was part of Ron and Ellen’s social life. On race day, you could find him watching Nascar. Ron coached his daughter’s softball team in grade school and his son’s Little League team. He enjoyed attending all of his children and grandchildren’s activities. Ron also loved traveling. Some highlights from his travels include stops in Hawaii and his most recent trip to the Noah’s Ark and Creation Museum in Kentucky. From 2009 until 2023, Ron and Ellen enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. No matter how busy life would be, Ron would always stay focused on the most important things: faith, family and farming. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ron is survived by his wife Ellen Dierenfield of Storm Lake; children: Linda (Frank) Corr of Independence, Mo.; Susan (Brian) Lindsey of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Russell (Tracee) Dierenfield of Storm Lake; brother Eugene Dierenfield of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; sisters: Sharon Huntley of Odebolt; Diane Krueger of Storm Lake; and Marilyn Lindsay of Cherokee; grandchildren: Ricky (Natalie) Johnson, Ronelle (Dr. Silas) Williams, Lisa Johnson, Grace Dierenfield, Holly (Jesus) Soto and Christie (Bryan) Ruml; great-grandchildren: Ryker Shortino, Silas and Grayson Williams, Allison (Micah) Kauffman, Tyler and Erika Stadheim; great-great-grandchild Faith Kauffman; extended family, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; great-great-granddaughter Sunny Kauffman; parents-in-law, LeRoy and Verlet Herzberg; siblings-in-law: Toni Dierenfield, Larry Huntley, Fred Krueger and Ethan Lindsay; and nephew David Huntley.
