Ron Jome

Ron Jome, 86, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.

Visitation for Ron will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023, at Community United Methodist Church in Ogden. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church with Pastor Heidi Farmer and Pastor Sam Mack officiating. 

Ronald David Jome, son of Kermit and Esther (Kolstad) Jome was born on June 22, 1937, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School with the class of 1955. Ron then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in bacteriology. Ron served in the U.S. Army and was assigned as a laboratory technician at the Army’s Biological Warfare Laboratories at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

On November 30, 1963, Ron was united in marriage to Barbara Bierfeldt. To this union a son Eric was born. Ron earned his Ph.D. in microbiology at the University of Maryland in 1967. He worked as an applied microbiologist in the poultry vaccine industry for nearly 30 years. Following his wife Barbara’s passing in June of 1991, Ron then moved to Gowrie, IA in 1992.

On August 7, 1994, Ron was united in marriage to Janice Reko at the Gowrie Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Ogden. A lifelong student, Ron returned to college in his 60’s, earning a master’s degree in counselor education at Iowa State University. He then worked at Aging Resources of Central Iowa until his retirement.

Ron was an active member in the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden and served on the church’s leadership board and staff-parish relations committee. He had a deep devotion to serving his community and was active in the leadership of numerous organizations. Over the years, he served as secretary of the Older Iowans Legislature, president of the Kiwanis Clubs of Gowrie and Boone, helped to organize the Aktion Klub (Kiwanis) of Boone, was the lieutenant governor of the Iowa-Nebraska district of Kiwanis, served as president of the Lions Club of Ogden, was a member of the Salvation Army board of directors in Boone, and served on the board of directors of Aging Resources of Central Iowa. A tireless volunteer, he could also be found helping with activities including pancake suppers, charity sales, after-prom activities, and calling bingo for residents at Ogden Manor, an activity he led for 20 years.

He was a devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family members, and a counselor and mentor to countless others.

In addition to his parents, Ron was also preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara; sister, Delane Jome; and his brother, Darrell Jome.

He is survived by a large blended family including his loving wife, Jan Jome of Ogden; children, Eric (Sarah) Jome of Bloomington, IL, Tim (Julie) Minnihan of Maple Grove, MN, Julie (Roger) Graden of Ames, Todd (Lori) Minnihan of Scranton, and Jane (Dr. Craig) Clark of Johnston; grandchildren, Bergen Jome, Brian Jome, Angie Otis (Dr. Matt Otis), Brenna Lucas (Jon Lucas), Chrissy Clark, Bailey Clark, Jaret Hagen, Jenni Hagen, Heidi Minnihan (Brandon Fosco), Zach Minnihan, Ben Minnihan (Abby Katt), Kaity Minnihan, Mike Minnihan (Lizzie Minnihan), Nick Minnihan; great-grandchildren, Caydon Tucker, Laine Fosco, Norah Otis, Nolan Otis, Violet Otis, Brooks Minnihan, Beckett Minnihan, Cambree Dudley, Neal Dudley, and Eleanor Lucas; and two brothers, Daniel (Emily) Jome of Appleton, WI, and Wayne (Mary Jo) Jome of Sturgeon Bay, WI.

Ron’s family wishes to thank the medical staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center and the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames for their care and compassion.

Memorials can be made to the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden.