Ronald Rand

Ronnie Ray Rand was born on December 25, 1944, in Maynard, MN, the son of Fred and Gertie (Stegeman) Rand. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City and lived his whole life in the Maynard area. Ronnie married Phyllis Larson in 1967 and farmed all of his life near Maynard. When not actively engaged in farming Ronnie kept busy with side jobs such as milking cows, loading trains, plowing snow, driving caterpillar and serving on the Stoneham Township and Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Board. Ronnie was a very down to earth man and enjoyed the simple things in life. He was never one for being "fancy" or pretentious. He liked to feed and watch the birds and took great pride in his garden. He also helped Phyllis with her "special" planter decorations, along with assisting her with her flower gardens. Ronnie enjoyed spending time with his family and taking long rides in the country. He looked forward to riding on his four-wheeler to look at crops, give his grandchildren rides and visit the neighbors. He actually enjoyed driving that more than his pick-up truck when the weather would allow. He will always be remembered as a friendly, happy-go-lucky man who had a great sense of humor with an outgoing personality that enabled him to meet and visit with old and new acquaintances alike. Ronnie was called from this life at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar on Monday, January 28, 2013. He was 68 years of age. Surviving family include his wife Phyllis of Maynard, MN; his children- Kristi Rand (& fiancé Tyler Zemke) of Minneapolis, MN and Keith (& Sarah) Rand of Raymond, MN; grandchildren- Emma & Keegan Rand, both of Raymond, MN; his mother Gertie Rand of Clara City, MN; his brothers Robert (& Patsy) Rand of Maynard, MN and Rodney (& Patty) Rand of Maynard, MN; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father Fred Rand and a brother- Dwayne Rand.