Ronald Van Watermeulen

Mass of Christian Burial for Ronald Van Watermeulen, 75, of Canby, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Rehkamp – Horvath Funeral Home in Minneota. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota. Ronald was born on December 31, 1935, in Moline, IL, to Jules and Alice (DeRuyck) Van Watermeulen. When he was nine, he moved with his family to Minnesota where they farmed near Canby. He married Phyllis Pohlen on April 19, 1955, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. The couple moved to Illinois where Ron worked for Case IH for 30 years. After retirement, they moved back to Minnesota. After farming for a short time, they moved to Canby in 1994. Ronald enjoyed traveling, watching football, especially the Minnesota Vikings, playing Bingo, watching TV, playing cards, visiting and spending time with family. He died on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Ronald is survived by his children Gary (and Susan) Van Watermeulen of Taunton, Collette (and Ken) Dwyer of Colona, IL, Ron (and Sue) Van Watermeulen of Silvis, IL and Karen (and Wes) Brand of Jacksonville, NC, son-in-law Tom Gillund of Minneota, 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, brothers Joseph (and Kathryn) Van Watermeulen of Minneota and Florian Van Watermeulen of East Moline, IL, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, daughter Colleen, brothers Donald and Gerald.