Ronald Parker

         Ronald L. Parker, 74, of Omaha, NE, and formerly of Coon Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, surrounded by his family at the Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska.      Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb of the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids officiating.  Casket bearers will be Chad Parker, Aaron Parker, Chuck Parker, Nathan Parker,  and Kristin Mills.  Burial will be in the Orange Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.      Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 P.M. on Saturday and will resume at the funeral home at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday until the time of service.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Ronnie’s family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com      Ron, or “Ronnie”, as he was known to some, was born July 8, 1944 to the late John “Ace” Parker and the late Isabelle (Beebe) Parker in Jefferson, Iowa. He was the oldest of four siblings, growing up in Coon Rapids, Iowa, and graduating from Bayard High School in 1962. He married Jean Hallinan on June 19, 1976 at the United Methodist Church in Bayard, Iowa.  They welcomed two children into their lives to complete their family, Dawn and Cory.      Ronnie graduated from business school in Omaha, NE.  After he graduated, he went into farming, first with his dad and grandfather, then on his own.  During this time he was also a member of the National Guard.  Eventually Ron joined USDA working at the county level in management for more than 20 years in both Monroe and Guthrie counties. He enjoyed working with the farmers and made many friends over the years.      Anyone who ever met Ron, immediately knew he was a genuine, strait shooting kind of man.  He told you like it was and was completely honest with everyone.  He was an avid follower of his children’s activities, and later, an active participant in the lives of his grandchildren.  He spent time hunting and fishing, enjoying trips to Swain Post in Canada with his dad, brothers, son, and nephews.  He loved NASCAR, especially Dale Earnhardt. You knew on Sundays he would start the race, take a quick nap and be up in time to see the final 50 laps or so.  After he retired, traveling became commonplace for he and Jean.  His favorite spot was Las Vegas and going to the casinos, but she convinced him there was more to see than just that.  Ron enjoyed becoming an expert on where to eat.  He loved trying many different restaurants and providing great detail on what made one place a better choice than another.  His hobby of collecting things kept him busy finding just the right items to bring home to add to his collections.      Left to cherish many wonderful memories are Jean, his wife of 42 years of Omaha, NE; daughter Dawn, her husband Todd Stevens, and granddaughter Hattie Ruhland of Grimes, IA; son Cory Parker, his wife Nicki, and grandsons Drew and Bryce of Omaha, NE.      Surviving siblings include, brother Dr. John Parker and his wife, Becky of Adel, IA; brother Dr. Longley Parker and his wife, Julie, of Estes Park, CO; and sister Liz and her husband, Jeff Mills, of Des Moines, IA.  Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents.