Ronald Mozena

Ron Mozena, 67, of Bagley, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids with the Rev. Lou Hoger officiating. Bible readings will be read by Melba Smith. Message in music will include “On Eagles’ Wings” and “Borning Cry.” Gayle Shackelford will be vocalist. Carolyn Flook will be organist. Burial will be at a later date at Willow Township Cemetery in Bayard. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today at Johnson & Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids. Memorial donations may be made to Guthrie County Relay for Life. Ronald Orville, son of Orville and Esther Opal (Krauel) Mozena, was born Sept. 30, 1944, at Jefferson, Iowa. He grew up at Bayard and graduated from Bayard High School in 1962. Ron then worked at W.R. Grace Fertilizer and helped on the farm with his dad. It was at this time that Ron enlisted in the National Guard. On Dec. 23, 1964, Ron married Wanda Sue Coffman at United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. The couple made their home southeast of Bayard and lived in Bayard for 35 years, with the exception of a short time in Coon Rapids. In 2007, they moved to their present home, the Mozena Ranch. Ron was a lifelong farmer. Throughout the years, he was employed off the farm with the Bayard Co-op, Smouse Electric, Garst and Thomas, Gordon Gymer Construction and on the Iowa Department of Transportation road crew, from which he retired in September 2010. Ron was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids and also a member of Bayard Lions Club and Bayard Fire Department. He enjoyed collecting Allis-Chalmers tractors, collecting Coca-Cola items, fishing and watching television. He especially enjoyed the time spent with his grandkids — who always called him “Grandpa Cutie,” playing cards and games and attending their activities. Ron was a hard worker and kind-hearted man you would want for a friend. In 2008, Ron was diagnosed with cancer. Ron is survived by his wife Sue Mozena of Bagley; three daughters: Wendy Spafford and husband Dan of Lake City; Amy Mozena and friend Rob Talk of Carnarvon and Stacy Schiltz and husband Sean of Jefferson; four grandchildren: Daniel and Landon Spafford and Sydney and Sawyer Schiltz; a sister Carol Withhart and husband John of Denison; three aunts: Faye Krauel of Gray, Gert Krauel of Audubon and Geneva Krauel of Mesa, Arizona; a sister-in-law Betty Coffman of Mesa, Arizona; nieces and nephews: Misty Kudrna and husband Gary, Christopher Withhart and wife Jessica, Jennifer Coffman and Brian Coffman; and by numerous cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sue’s parents Omar and Geneva Coffman and his brother-in-law, Phillip Coffman.