Born October 7, 1941, in Monterrey, CA to Charles and Alitha (Krueger) Stubbe, Ron was an only child and grew up in rural Devils Lake, attending a small country school in Minnewaukan Township through 8th grade, graduating from Devils Lake Central in 1959. He then attended North Dakota State University, earning a degree in Ag Economics.
After college he worked in Sacramento, CA and joined the Air Force Reserve and then the ND Air National Guard after returning to ND to continue his lifelong vocation in agriculture.
What started as a blind date, turned out to be a lifelong marriage to Mary Jane Roorda, starting October 6th, 1972. Ron made sure to wait until they made it to their 52nd wedding anniversary (and his 83rd birthday) before making his exit.
Ron was a lifelong member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, serving on various boards and serving as past president of the congregation and active member of the Ramsey County Farm Bureau.
Ron and Mary Jane enjoyed traveling together over the years, and as a family with the kids when they were younger, including taking them to learn to downhill ski. In later years he had fun taking friends out on the “Rontoon” and putting many miles on his e-bike. While spending winters with Mary Jane in Arizona they met many friends when Ron took up the sport of Pickleball. Keeping up with local, state, and national news was a favorite pastime of his.
Ron loved farming and being out at the farm. He was proud of what his father started, Jarrod continued, and was moved to hear that Quenten and Malcolm had also developed an interest in agriculture to continue the legacy. In later years after “retiring,” there was rarely a day he missed driving around checking crops or spending time around the farmyard. In his last weeks there were many trips out to the fields with Cheryl and others to check the wheat, corn, beans and watch the harvest in progress.
Family was most important to Ron, and we are lucky to have had him as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was patient, kind, generous and always thoughtful with his words. Those of us closest to him were blessed with his insight, wisdom, sly sense of humor and will miss seeing his grin.
The kindness, selflessness and generosity given by family and friends throughout his illness will never be forgotten. He was able to be at home and was especially thankful for the loving care provided by Mary Jane, and often commented that Mary Jane was “one hell of a nurse” and the best caregiver he knew.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, son Jarrod (Lori) Stubbe, daughter Cheryl (Chris Flynn) and grandsons Quenten and Malcolm Stubbe. Welcoming him home are his parents Charles and Alitha Stubbe.
A Memorial Celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Reverend Lori Pankratz officiating. There will be a time of fellowship immediately following the service in the church dining hall. Burial and military honors will be at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Ron.