Ron Woosley

Ron Woosley, age 74, of Decorah, IA, died on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phil Gibbs presiding. Burial will be Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, at a later date. Friends may call from 3:00- 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Wednesday morning. Ronald Thomas “Ron” Woosley was born on November 27, 1939, in Decorah, Iowa, the son of George Bernard and Dorothy (Bucknell) Woosley. Ron was baptized and confirmed at St. Agnes – Plymouth Rock Catholic Church, west of Burr Oak, Iowa. Ron attended Kjome country school and Decorah High School. Ron served in the US Navy from 1957 - 1976. Ron was married to Karel Kay Magnusson in 1959 in Lansing, Iowa. They later divorced and Ron was married to Patricia DeCoursey on September 22, 1973 in Rockville, MD. While in the service, Ron served in Long Beach, CA, Minneapolis Air Station in Minneapolis, MN, Glenview, IL, and Bethesda, MD. Ron returned to Decorah and attended Area One in Calmar (NICC) where he learned the Plumbing and Heating trade. Ron worked as a plumber, taught flight lessons at the Decorah Airport, farmed and also was a rural mail carrier, retiring in 1999. After he retired, Ron and Pat traveled the United States and Alaska in their motorhome for five years. Ron enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, computers and telling stories. Ron is survived by his wife: Pat Woosley, Decorah, IA. Three children: David (Melissa) Woosley, Hastings, MN; Rhonda (Michael) Wercinski, Guam; and James (Tara) Woosley, Decorah, IA. Seven grandchildren: Robby Meyer, Justin Woosley, Douglas Wercinski, Matthew Wercinski, Kenneth Wercinski, Nicolas Woosley and Abigail Woosley. Five siblings: Merrill (LaVanda) Woosley, Cedar Rapids, IA; DiAnne (Hiram) Adkins, St. Cloud, MN; Pamela (Joe) Foreman, Rosemount, MN; Warren (Sue) Woosley, Clayton, WI; and Lori Kelly, Greensboro, NC, along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Aunt: Louise Smith, Decorah, IA. Cousins: Amy (Steve) Knox, Decorah, IA, and Carol (Rick) English, Florence, SC. Ron was preceded in death by his parents: George Bernard and Dorothy (Bucknell) Woosley. Aunt: Darlene Gibson.