Ronald Whipkey, age 76 of Sac City, IA, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Loring Hospital in Sac City.  Ronald Vinson Whipkey was born on January 10, 1943 in Sioux Falls, SD to Vinson K. and Frances A. Whipkey.  Dad (Vinson) worked in the stockyards until 1945, at which time they moved to Trent, SD where Vinson started farming with his dad and two brothers.  This association farmed 600 acres, had 50 head of cattle, and 40 milk cows.  In 1962, Ron and Mary Ann Blankenfeld were united in marriage and blessed with two children, Terri and Troy.  In 1966 he took the family and moved to Sac City, Iowa – never regretting a moment of it!

   Ron was a trucker.  He worked in road construction, ag-lime, and hauled seed corn.  After 42 years of marriage, Mary Ann passed away in 2004, and he decided to retire in 2007. 

   Ron and Marlene Lents became good friends, did a lot of traveling and enjoyed many good times.

   Ron enjoyed spending time with his family, meeting people and going on tractor rides.  He was thrilled to travel to Alaska and Oregon for his grandchildren’s weddings and spending time with Nik at the house or chasing Nik around.  He knew every backroad in the area and made a connection with everyone he met. 

   Ron was preceded to heaven by his wife Mary Ann; parents Vinson and Frances; brother Dennis; and parents-in-law Lyle and Bertha Blankenfeld.

   Left to cherish his memory are his kids: Terri and Brian Harmelink and Troy and Denice Whipkey; along with his grandchildren: Jessica and Marshall Roses, Jason and Kelly Harmelink and Nikolas Whipkey; brothers: Loren and Jean Whipkey, Al and Bernadette Whipkey; in-laws: Verla and Don Wermers, Jim and Kay Blankenfeld and Jeff and Deniz Blankenfeld; special friend Marlene Lents.  Ron had a special bond with his cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews and the Lents’ family.

   The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Pek, Pastor Missy and the dedicated staff of Loring Hospital for the kindness and prayers during the last days of his life.