Ronald A. Ollendick

Ronald "Ron" Alfred Ollendick, age 82, of Cresco, Iowa, died on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ron will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco with Fr. Jacob Rouse presiding. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the church, beginning at 9:00 until the time of service.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA.  Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco is assisting the family.

Ron was born on September 29, 1940 to Alfred and Ivy (Buettgenbach) Ollendick in Elgin, NE. Ron attended a country school until enrolling at St. Joseph's for 7th grade in Cresco, Iowa. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1959.  He married Suzanne Kay Eischeid on February 11, 1961 in Cresco.  Shortly thereafter, Ron attended Universal Trade School in Omaha, NE for 18 months with the auto mechanic program.

Ron and Suzanne left NE in 1962 and Ron worked for Chevrolet General Motors as an auto mechanic in Cedar Falls, Iowa for five years.  In 1967, he went into partnership with Ron Cayler buying Ron's Standard Gas Station. In 1972, Ron and Suzanne joined the family farm partnership with Alfred and brother, Ken, by moving to Lime Springs, IA.   In 1986, Ollendick Farms, Inc was established. They earned the Outstanding Farm Family Award in 1997 from Kiwanis Club. Ron and Suzanne were often seen together on VIP trips throughout the country with CUSB.  Ron and Suzanne retired from farming and moved to Cresco on March 18, 2023.

To this union, four children were born, Jon Thomas, Jayne Elizabeth, Joseph David and Jillene Anna.

Ron enjoyed pheasant hunting and walleye fishing; he looked forward to "Holy Week" of fishing at Williams Narrow with his beloved brothers, sons, sons-in-law, grandsons and nephews for over 40 years every fall.  He also enjoyed NASCAR racing, Big 10 Sports, Diamond Jo's Casino and was an avid card player.

Ron will be remembered for his patience, especially with Suzanne and her community commitments. You could find his gentle smile and kind eyes waiting for Suzanne to "finish up."  Ron loved supporting his children and grandchildren at all their activities.   He will be greatly missed by the many family, friends and community members whose lives he touched.

Ron is survived by his wife of 62 years, Suzanne; son, Jon (Tammie) of Grimes, IA; daughter, Jayne Burnikel of Winona, MN; son, Joe (Tracy) of Grimes, IA; and daughter, Jill (Dan) Jirak of Center Point, IA; grandchildren, Zeb (s/o Paige Brumwell) Ollendick, Zoe Ollendick, Alexis (Ron) White, Owen (Kristina) Burnikel, Will Ollendick, Jared (Sam) Jirak, Josh (Haley) Jirak, and Jace (Mandy) Jirak; and great grandchildren Evelyn and Oliver White, Dahlia and Monroe Jirak, Emmy Jirak and Kasen Jirak.

Ron is also survived by brothers, Richard (Joyce) Ollendick, Gary (Sandy) Ollendick, Tom (Mary) Ollendick, Ken Ollendick, Duane (Ginger) Ollendick and sister, Diane (Gene) Wright; brother-in-law Dave (Carol) Eischeid and multiple nieces and nephews.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ivy Ollendick, father and mother-in-law Arthur and Eleanor Eischeid,  sister-in-law Donna Ollendick and son-in-law, Daniel Burnikel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Howard County Community Hospice, the Howard County Fairgrounds, the Historical Society or a charity of your choice.