Ronald T. Middelstadt

Ronald Middelstadt, age 90, of Elk River passed on June 1, 2025. He was born January 5, 1935 to Theodore and Ida Middelstadt.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn Middelstadt, wife, Barb, and great grandson Ethan Monroe.

A celebration of his life will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elk River Minnesota on June 21, 2025. Viewing starts at 10 AM with funeral at 11 AM and a light luncheon to follow the services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Archie & Isabelle Powell Scholarship Fund.

Ron was born in Elk River, MN. He spent the first eight school years attending St. John’s Lutheran Church school. In ninth grade he transferred to Elk River high school, where he met Barbara Sellon. They married on January 1, 1954. Soon after, in 1955 Ron entered the army and served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until 1957.

Throughout their 70 years of marriage, Ron and Barb were consistent supporters of all the sports and activities in which their children participated, a tradition that continued with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ron sang in the church choir for many years and served on various committees at St. John’s Lutheran Church, which was founded in 1876 by ten families, including Ron’s grandparents. He will also be remembered by many as the chief potato masher at the church’s annual ham dinner. Ron and Barb enjoyed world travel. Ron also was a member of the Minnesota Historical Truck Society and Diamond T Club.

In addition to his regular job as a truck mechanic, Ron spent many evenings and weekends repairing vehicles for family and friends. After retirement, he especially enjoyed restoring a 1947 Diamond T Model 201 pick up. When first purchased, the truck was essentially a heap of rust. Over the course of several years, the rusty pieces were transformed into a stunning truck. Whenever possible, Ron would barter for parts to rebuild his beloved truck. Ron entered his truck in local competitions and won several Best in Class awards. The truck was also featured in an antique truck calendar.

A prominent part of Ron and Barb‘s life together was square dancing. Barb‘s father, Ken, was a caller and Ron learned to dance at the Sellon homestead barn. Square dance camping weekends were a favorite activity for the whole family. After the children had grown, Ron and Barb joined the Hot Foot Stompers square dance club and continued to dance locally and across the country earning the title of elite dancers. Ron and Barb serve jointly as the club’s president during the early 1990s.

Ron will be missed greatly by sons Jerry (Deb) Middelstadt and Scott (Sarah) Middelstadt, daughter Lori (Brian) Smith; 5 grandchildren: Kristan (Mark) Kohls, Becky Anderson, Lindsey Monroe, Grace Middelstadt and Luke Middelstadt; 4 step- grandchildren: Aaron (Randi) Smith, Matt Smith, Andy Smith and Amanda (Alex) Gutekunst; 9 great-grandchildren: Sam Kohls, Jerry Kohls, Rachel Anderson, Audrey Anderson, Halie Monroe, Kiley Monroe, Ethan Smith, Natalie Smith, and Jerry, Smith; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

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