Ronald DeGolier

Ronald DeGolier, age 78, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021, at his residence in Kenosha.

Ron was born Jan. 3, 1943, to Charles and Myerla (Accola) DeGolier in Madison, WI. He graduated from Madison West High School and received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Carroll College in 1967. He married Laura Prange in 1967; they divorced in 1983. They had two children: Lisa and Eric.

After three years at University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Ron received a Master’s in Hospital/Healthcare Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, in 1972. He was a Fellow in the American College of Hospital Administrators. He served as Administrator of Hess Memorial Hospital & Nursing Home in Mauston, WI from 1973-1981. He left to better deal with advancing symptoms of kidney disease.

Ron moved to Kenosha in 1983 to manage Hospitality Manor Nursing Home. Soon after arriving he met Linda (Roelofs) Sjoerdsma, who had three children (Debra, Ronda & Pamela) from her first marriage. Ron and Linda married on March 23, 1985.

Ron was the fortunate recipient of a lifesaving kidney transplant at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital on August 23, 1985. He later served as development director at the Kenosha Achievement Center and in various roles at the Kenosha YMCA until 2006.

After retirement Ron and Linda bought a motor home and traveled around the country several times. From their home at St. Catherine Commons senior living, they took advantage of the Lake Michigan shoreline to hike and bike. They enjoyed watching the sun and moon rise over Lake Michigan from their 3^rd floor windows.

Ron volunteered his services to various causes and organizations, including an INNS homeless site in Kenosha for 17 years. He served on the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, the Friends of the Kenosha Public Museum, Mauston Area Chamber of Commerce, Mauston Area Ambulance Association, and other organizations.

Ron’s areas of interest included cycling, cross-country skiing (did the American Birkebeiner IV in 1976), hiking, RVing, outdoor photography, and fixing stuff. He competed and medaled in the U.S. Transplant Games (cycling) from 1990 – 2010, and the World Transplant Games in Vancouver, B.C. (winning a bronze medal) in 1993. Ron organized Kenosha’s only international pro-am bicycle races (Food Folks & Spokes) starting in 1991 and served as local race director through 2007.

He was preceded in death by his father Charles (1962) and mother Myerla (2001). Ron is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his children and children by marriage, Lisa (Chris Leffel) DeGolier, Eric (Yoko) DeGolier, Debra (Brian) Hansche, Ronda Wadina, Pamela Sjoerdsma; his 11 grandchildren, Alexandra DeGolier, Eleanor DeGolier, Daisy Leffel, Skye DeGolier, Matthew (Ashley) Hansche, Andrew (Mary) Hansche, Adam (Rachael) Wadina, Michael Wadina, Rachel Wadina, Joseph Bales, Thomas Bales; his great-grandchild, Amelia Hansche; and his sister, Diane Hippman.