Ronald D. Rensfeldt, age 80, of Isanti died February 4, 2017 at home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 7th at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti. A time for visiting will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ronald Dale Rensfeldt was born into the family of Elis, Prudence and Evert Rensfeldt on May 7, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN. A rambunctious boy, he quickly grew into a young man who loved football, drag racing and cars. He graduated from high school in St. Anthony. MN in 1954 and immediately joined the Marines for a two year tour in Korea. Upon his return home, he started dating his future bride, Carolyn, and entered Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis, MN to obtain his Doctorate of Mechanics degree. With this degree, he started Rensfeldt’s Automotive in Fridley, MN where he worked until retirement.
On December 13, 1958, he married Carolyn, the granddaughter of his dear friend, Hans Hammarstedt. In a tiny house on Lincoln Street in Minneapolis, Ron and Carolyn started the family with their daughter, Julie Marie, that they would see continue to grow throughout the years beyond their wildest expectations.
Ron was a poet, an artist, a writer and an inventor. He had a beautiful baritone singing voice that was a pleasure to listen to. He was a strong athlete, light on his feet and loved to dance. Ron also enjoyed farming and working with his hands. He whittled, fixed watches and clocks and was able to repair many things that others would have discarded. He loved the outdoors, tinkering and drinking coffee with his friends.
Ron loved Jesus and was a man of strong faith, deep convictions, honor and integrity. He laughed in the face of adversity, overcame seemingly impossible odds and found light in places that most people would only see darkness. Most of all, though, Ron treasured his family and loved with a deep, abiding faithfulness that was an example to all. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was a Marine, a warrior at heart and fought to his last breath to stay with us. Though his mind was sharp, his body gave way and he passed peacefully, having been surrounded by his loving family and friends in his last days here on earth. Now, even though our hearts are broken and he will be greatly missed, we take comfort in knowing he is walking with Jesus and has been reunited with family, relatives and friends who have made their way to eternity before him.
Semper Fi, Ronald Dale Rensfeldt, you have fought the good fight, won your last battle and have finally heard, “Well done, thou Good and Faithful Servant”.
Ron passed away February 4, 2017 at the age of 80 years. He was preceded in heaven by his parents, Elis Rensfeldt & Prudence Skaar Rensfeldt and by his brother, Evert Rensfeldt.
He is survived by his bride of 58 years, Carolyn Paulson Rensfeldt and his children and their spouses; Julie and Bill Barnes, Kristine and Bruce Yerigan, Susan and Ruggero Fanciulli, Mark Rensfeldt as well as Ron’s well loved grandchildren; Shauna and John Verheyen, Jennifer and Dana Mortensen, Brianna Barnes and Tristan Green, Erik Yerigan, Carissa Barnes and Dan Carlson, Dana Yerigan, Ciara Barnes, Veronica Barnes, Ethan and Shelly Yerigan, Jacob Rensfeldt and Kendra Rensfeldt and Gioia Fanciulli. Ron has also left behind his beloved great-grandchildren; Madison and Micah Shaw, Hunter, Hudson and Sawyer Verheyen, Noah, Lucas and Elijah Yerigan, Savannah Barnes and the newest addition to his family, John Alexander Yerigan.