Ronald “Ron” Brockmeyer, 88, of Marshalltown, formerly of Lost Island Lake, Ruthven, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Bickford Cottage in Marshalltown, Iowa.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-6 p.m. followed by a Vigil Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Ron was born on April 29th, 1936, to Benjamin and Mae (Gibbs) Brockmeyer in Guttenburg, IA. He graduated from Strawberry Point High School and earned his BA Degree at Iowa State Teachers College, now UNI. Ron was united in holy matrimony to Margo Happe on August 17th, 1957, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake, where he later was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. To this union 6 children were born, Lynn, Lorrie, Paul, Mary Beth, Tom, and Keith. They devoted their lives to their children and their activities, especially sports. Ron played high school sports, was on the basketball team his first 2 years at college, coached multiple high school and college sports, and refereed for many years. Ron and Margo were long-time members of Sacred Heart in Ruthven, where they were active in all aspects of the Parish.
Ron began his teaching career at Lake Center in rural Clay County. He taught business classes, coached multiple sports, drove a bus route, and was even the Acting Principal for a year! From there he moved on to a teaching and coaching position in Lake Park. He taught and coached from 1966-1970 in Victor, Iowa. In 1970, he and Margo purchased a small resort and home on Lost Island Lake. They and their children ran the resort in the summers, while he was the Guidance Counselor and coach at Graettinger. After obtaining his Masters Degree in Education, he became a college professor at Iowa Lakes Community College, teaching Psychology and Sociology, and also counseling students. The 4 cottages were sold in 1979, but he and Margo remained in their home there, then later downsized to a home on the south end of the lake. Throughout their years at the lake, they hosted countless family reunions and neighborhood picnics, as well as many “summer camps” for their grandchildren.
As a couple, Ron and Margo were very active in the Lost Island Lake and Ruthven Communities. They helped form the Lost Island Protective Association and Lost Island/Ruthven Betterment Association, served on many boards and committees, volunteered for almost every event, and were recognized as the Citizens of the Year at the annual Ruthven-Lost Island Bully Bullhead Weekend Celebration. Ron began his 2nd career in real estate in 1988, and opened his brokerage, Lakeland Realty Of Iowa, in 1990. He later joined his son, Keith’s branch in Spirit Lake and remained active in sales until 2019.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Lorrie (Mike) Patton of Hudson, Iowa; Paul (Tanya) Brockmeyer of Chandler, Arizona; Mary Beth (Scott) Neff of Beaman, Iowa; Tom (Paula) Brockmeyer of Buford, Georgia; and Keith (Sharma) Brockmeyer of Spirit Lake, IA; grandchildren, Angie (Dan) Dickinson, Tim (Kaitlin) Zern, Amy (Chad) Tate, Alex Patton, Talia (Theo) Nieman, Kelcey (Seth) McCoy, Ben (Suzanne) Neff, Charlie (Alexis) Neff, Jonny Neff, Danielle Brockmeyer, Dr. Mikayla Brockmeyer, (Dr. Shujat Bader) and Kate Brockmeyer; and 13 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margo, daughter Lynn Zern, great- granddaughter, Jaelyn Tate, and siblings, Evelyn Totman, Beverly Rankin, Betty Kenneally, Jan O’Laughlin and Karen Brockmeyer.
