Ronnie L. Robinson

Larchwood, IA Ronnie Leroy Robinson, age 69 of Larchwood, IA, formerly of Sheldon, IA, died Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, Nov. 29th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Deacon Jeff Gallagher officiating. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 28th from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. Also there will be a prayer service held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the church. Ronnie Leroy Robinson was born on November 11, 1945 in Belgrade, NE, the son of Arnold and Mildred (Oakley) Robinson. He grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Belgrade High School in 1964. After graduating from high school he attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE and graduated from there in 1968. Ronnie later went back to Wayne State and received his master's degree. On February 8, 1971, he was united in marriage to Melanie Schleef in Vermillion, SD. To this union two children were born Heather and Heath. Ronnie and Melanie lived in Beemer, NE from the time they were married until 1974, when they moved to Uehling, NE and lived there until 1978. Ronnie worked as a public school teacher in both communities. The couple then moved to Sheldon, where Ronnie worked for Northwest Iowa Community College. He retired from NCC as the Dean of Trade and Technology after twenty-seven years. He was a member of the NCC Foundation Board. He also was a member of the NRA for twenty-seven years and an active supporter of Duck's Unlimited and Delta Water Fowl. He received the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1999 from the State of Iowa, was a long time member of the Sheldon Recreation board and the President of the Planning board for the Sheldon Aquatic Center. Ronnie enjoyed bowling, playing pool, baseball and fast pitch softball. After retirement he took up golf and won many tournaments throughout the years. One of Ronnie's greatest joys was spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren. Ronnie is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Melanie Robinson of Larchwood, IA; two children, Heather (Rory) West and Heath Robinson both of Sioux Falls, SD; Gib Davis of Sioux Falls, SD, who was like a son to them; four grandchildren, Alex and Mackenzie West, Shantel DeKnikker and Kylie Robinson; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Robinson of Columbus, NE and Alice Elstermeier of Grand Island, NE; brothers and sisters-in-law: Marly Schleef of Cherokee, IA, Mary Kay (Denny) Langholdt of Boone, IA, Mike (Shari) Schleef of Columbus Junction, IA, Monica (Jerry) Anfinson of Morristown, TN, Mark (Stacy) Schleef and Matt (Janel) Schleef both of Cherokee, IA, and Molly (Dave) Galm of Spencer, IA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends. Preceding Ronnie in death were his parents, Arnold and Mildred Robinson; and two brothers, Harold and Eugene Robinson.