Ron Iverson, loving father and grandfather, passed away to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 8th, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 72.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 18, 2021 at First Lutheran Church, Fessenden, ND.  Pastor Shirley Teske will officiate and burial will be in East Vang Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fessenden, ND.  Visitation to be held at Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, September 17th from 5-7pm and one prior to the service at the church.   Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, ND.

Ronald Michael Iverson was born on February 7th, 1949, in Grand Forks, ND to Merlyon & Margie (Mjoen) Iverson. Ron was raised in Fargo, ND, and Fessenden, ND. In his younger years, he was active in track and football, and enjoyed singing in the choir at Hope Lutheran Church. In 1971, during the height of the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the Marines. During basic training, he developed a serious illness, was hospitalized, then honorably discharged. He worked in business administration and management for various businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area, before returning to school at UND where he earned his Master's degree and subsequently worked as a counselor. He also studied PTSD therapeutic research, which he had much interest and efforts in making contributions to. During those years, he was married to Vicki Nichols and they had 4 children. Later in life, Ron moved to Fessenden which he dearly loved and had so many nice, peaceful days and fond memories..

Ron embraced the mantra & life application of "There by the Grace of God Go I" and enjoyed the light hearted side of life and especially laughter. Ron enjoyed being a father and having family to share and pass along his varied and numerous hobbies. His children recall Ron taking pride in teaching them things like swimming and diving with perfection at the public pool, baseball, tennis, badminton, croquet, chess, fishing, hunting, painting, photography, and most important of all, how to skate. Ron continued to play goalie on a local recreational team up until a few years ago. Outside of sports, he had a passion for trains and airplanes, was a voracious reader of many genres, enjoyed writing poetry and creating art, working on projects at a nearby family farm while enjoying good memories, and playing or listening to a variety of music all the while. He preferred to be outdoors enjoying nature while mowing, removing snow, gardening, or repairing things and was meticulous in his tasks.

Ron loved helping his neighbors and community. He contributed to a local skating rink by keeping the ice spotless for all to enjoy. He had recently acquired a skate sharpener and learned how to use that towards the goal of providing sharpening at no cost to anyone in the community who wanted. To share some humor and spread winter cheer, he secretly placed trolls (Nissen) on the ice late one night with a note written in Norwegian asking "Er det neon som vil spille et slag hockey?" (Does anyone want to play a game of hockey). He also enjoyed contributing to the betterment of the playground at a daycare near his home. Ron was grateful to God for a long, great life on earth, and allowing him to live in Fessenden again for a while. His family extends their appreciation to the community for making it a place where he felt blessed beyond words.

Ron cherished all of his family, including cousins which he fondly considered as siblings, as well as extended family, and enjoyed fond memories of being together. Ron is survived by his 4 children, Heather (Chris) Lofstuen, Eric Iverson, Heidi (Michael) Rohr, Holly (Garett) Smith, and 10 grandchildren, Colton, Karsen, Sophia, Brayden, Ian, Riley, Kiara, Carter, Keagan, and Palmer. He is also survived by his beloved Golden Retriever, Dusty.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and beloved Golden Retriever buddy named Boomer.

In lieu of flowers, family is asking for folks to please contribute to a charitable cause.