Ronald Nord

He was born Oct. 28, 1940, in Sagola, son of the late Lawrence and Eileen (Cousineau) Nord. Ron attended grade school in Foster City and graduated from Felch High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army on July 5, 1959, serving until Aug. 4, 1962. On July 7, 1962, he married Ruth Ann “Tana” Mattson at Zion Lutheran Church in Felch.

A cook in the army, Ronald was called back to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Afterwards, he started working for Kleiman’s Well Drilling and really enjoyed his time with Harry Kleiman. Ron was also blessed to work for his friend and former boss, Happy Peterson, for Peterson Welding in Norway before spending 40-plus years in the IBEW, working mostly for M.J. Electric.

Over the years he and Tana opened up their home to 21 different exchange students from several different countries, many of which have remained in their lives through visits and correspondence.

After retirement, Ron fully dedicated his time to his family. He loved playing chauffeur to his grandkids, having fresh-baked bread for them every day after school, and teaching them how to play cards. He enjoyed running his bulldozer and following around his sons, particularly Reggie, getting involved in their current projects.

Ron taught his boys, through the way he lived his life, how to love and how to remain faithful in Christ. Even with the loss and heartache he suffered, Ron’s dedication and love for his family, especially his wife, did not waiver, calling to memory a story of Ron planting a dead tree in the yard. When questioned by his boys why he would plant a dead tree his response was simply, “Because it’s easier to plant a dead tree than to argue with your mother.” Even toward the end of his life, Ron’s face would still light up at the sight of Tana.

Ron is survived by his wife, Ruth “Tana” Nord; two sons, Robert (Beckie) Nord and Roger (Becky) Nord; daughters-in-law Dindy (Anthony) Cousineau and Ellen (Terry) Steffes; grandchildren Martha Nord (Kyle Jacobsen), Veronica (Alex) Prinsen, Ramsey Nord, Regina Nord, Emma Nord, Jewel Nord, Simeon Nord; two brothers, Jack (Ann) Nord and Leonard (Linda) Nord; his sister (who he guarded as a daughter), Janet (Steve) LeDuc; and several nieces and nephews, some of whom lovingly referred to him as “Ron Man.”

Along with his parents, Ron is preceded in death by his children, infant daughter Roxanne, infant son Ross Nord, adult sons Russel Nord, Reggie Nord and Rory Nord; his in-laws, Helen and Walfred “Bally” Mattson; a nephew, Shawn Nord; and brothers-in-law, Arthur, Rick and Curtis Mattson.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave., with Pastor Chad Harrison officiating the funeral service at noon. Burial will be in the Felch Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti for their compassionate care of Ron and to Emmy Lou and Doug Harder for taking care of Ron and Ruth for several years prior to their moving into the nursing home.

Condolences to the family of Ronald Lawrence Nord may be expressed online at ernnashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.