Ronnie Eugene Riesgaard

Ronnie Eugene Riesgaard, the son of Harley and Madonna (Vandevanter) Riesgaard, was born May 31, 1953, in Audubon, Iowa and died September 12, 2014, at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 61 years, 3 months, and 11 days.
Ronnie was baptized at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1972. Following High School Ronnie helped operate the family farm.
On June 2, 1978, he was united in marriage to Lorena Beatrice Johnston at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Two sons Willie and Jacob were born to this union. They farmed northeast of Exira where they grew row crops and raised livestock. Ronnie was severely burned in an accident. The injuries were such that after he recovered he was no longer able to farm. In the spring of 1985 they moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. Ronnie worked various jobs for a time and then worked in construction. He was hired by the University of Fairbanks to manage an experimental farm for several years which later led him to become a Wildlife Technician for the Department of Fish and Game for the State of Alaska for the management of Bison and other wildlife. Ronnie held this position until he retired in May of 2013. They returned to Exira where Ronnie enjoyed his retirement and assisted some of the local farmers.
Ronnie was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, riding their motorcycle, camping and operating their four wheeler.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife Lorena who died September 8, 2014, from injuries she had sustained in their motorcycle accident; his father Harley Riesgaard; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Emmert and Betty Johnston.
Survivors include his sons Willie and wife Krystal Riesgaard of Chaska, Minnesota and Jacob and his wife Allison Riesgaard of Bonaire, Georgia; his grandchildren Colton, Myles, Lucas, and Mason Riesgaard all of Chaska, Minnesota and Camille and Cody Riesgaard both of Bonaire, Georgia; his mother Madonna Riesgaard of Exira, Iowa, his brothers Gary and wife Rebecca Riesgaard of Brayton, Iowa, Craig and wife Susan Riesgaard and Jerry and wife Colleen Riesgaard all of Exira, Iowa; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Larry and wife Darlene Johnston of Audubon, Iowa, Gary and wife Kathy Johnston and John and Judy Johnston both of Green Valley, Arizona, Becky and husband John Shaw of Winterset, Iowa, Shirley Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa, Kay and husband Jim Kjergaard of Kimballton, Iowa, Jim and wife Mary Johnston of Silver City, Iowa, and Richard and wife Tracy Johnston of Exira, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.