Ron was born on August 19, 1949, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Vernon and Janice (Fossum) Soland. He was one of five children. Growing up in Harmony, Minn., he quickly found a lifelong love for fishing with his father. After graduating from Harmony High School in 1967, Ron attended Austin Vocational School for carpentry, graduating in 1969. He joined Brunsvold Builders in Harmony as a carpenter until shingling on a bitterly cold day in January led him to believe there was “a better way to make a living.” He moved to Rochester, Minn., and drove deliveries for Rochester Industrial Supply until 1979 when he joined IBM and worked there until 2001. He was a resident of Kasson, Minn., from 1983 to 1998.
Ron was a dedicated father and loved camping, wilderness and wildlife; feeding the local animals outside his home in Solon Springs was his joy in retirement. He was fond of jigsaw puzzles, attending Twins games and collecting baseball cards. Ron cherished conversation and telling stories, saying he loved the peace and quiet, but never gave up an opportunity to talk, especially about skydiving on his 60th and 65th birthdays.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Donna: son Michael (Anna) Soland and his grandchildren Quinn and Eve: sister Tammy Ryan Snitzer (Howard Snitzer) and her daughters Aja and Kate, stepdaughter Lottie Conradi, stepgrandchildren Jesse and Emily, and former wife Marcia.
He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Janice, brother Rodney and sisters Barbara and Marilyn.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Solon Springs, Wis., at 12 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior.