William Ringdahl

Funeral Service for William Bill Nelson Ringdahl, age 78, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Pastor Thomas Olson officiating. Pallbearers will be Bills Grandchildren . Honorary Pallbearers will be Crandalls Caf Coffee Group and the local Masonic Lodge members. Visitation will be held Friday, August 4, 2006 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. There will be a Masonic Service at 6:30 PM Friday evening. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota, is in charge of the arrangements. Bill was born on September 4, 1927 in Wheaton, Minnesota to Reuben Nathaniel Ringdahl and Dorris Jeannette Nelson Ringdahl. Bill was their only child. He was baptized at the Swedish Mission Church on October 30, 1927 and confirmed on July 13, 1941. Growing up he was a member of the Boy Scouts and received his Eagle Scout Rank in March of 1944. He later served as Scout Leader. During his high school years he participated in Track and Field, the Photography Club, Theatre, and worked many years at both the Wheaton Theatre and Gopher Theatre. He graduated from Wheaton High School on June 1, 1945. Bill attended Gustavus Adolphus College where he met Ivadelle Delores Ann Ranstrom. At Gustavus he was a member of Epsilon Pi Alpha Fraternity, the American Chemistry Society, and was on the editorial staff as campus photographer. He graduated on June 5, 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He married Ivy on January 27, 1951 at Grace Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He then attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and received a Masters Degree in Economics on July 26, 1951. Bill then served in the United States Air Force active duty for 1 year and the reserves until November of 1964. He then transferred to the Retired Reserve as a Captain in the Air Force. Bill and Ivy moved back to Wheaton where he was in the insurance and real estate business for 45 years. He was in partnership with Leo Terhaar during this time. Bill and Ivy raised six children. Bill was active in church leadership at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church including serving on the church council for many years. He was also a benefactor and supporter of the Bethlehem Covenant Church. He was a member of the American Legion in Wheaton and supporter of the new Legion building. Bill was an active member of the Masonic Lodge for over 55 years until his death. Hobbies included hunting, beekeeping, fishing and photography. He enjoyed family get togethers at his cabin on Lake Traverse and at Luther Crest at Christmas time. He enjoyed lunch and coffee fellowship at Crandalls Caf in recent years. Bill was a faithful and devoted family man. Bill passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 2, 2006. Bill is survived by 6 children: Mark (Janine) Ringdahl of Chaska, Minnesota, Sandy (Paul) Mitteness of Wheaton, Minnesota, Scott (Kandis) Ringdahl of Glenwood, Minnesota, Annette (John) LaPlant of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Suzanne (Randy) Weick of Wheaton, Minnesota, & Janine (Alan) Schmidt of Wheaton, Minnesota. Bill also has 13 Grandchildren: David and Christopher Ringdahl, Tania Wirtjes, Dane Mitteness, Daniel and Jesse Ringdahl, Savannah and Tyrell Weick, Jovanna and Parker LaPlant, and Hannah, Nora, and Nelson Schmidt. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ivy in 2002.

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