ULLR Foundation Memorial Gifts

Ron Machel

December 16, 2022

-Donors-

(listed alphbetically)

Jan Cady

Nancy Sand

Ronald H. Machel May 6, 1942  -  December 16, 2022  (80)

Ron Machel (80) passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16 at his home in Burnsville, MN, surrounded by his loving family and his lab Brandi.  He was born on May 6, 1942 in Wausau, WI to Harold Machel and Mildred (Kiepke) Machel Koenig.  He was raised on the family farm in the Town of Maine and later moved to Wausau, where he graduated from Wausau High School in 1960.  After high school, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Washington State during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  After honorably discharging, he went to North Central Technical Institute where he trained to be an engineering drafter, and later worked in Milwaukee for a short time as a drafter.  In October of 1968 he was married to Bonita Buttke, moved to MN, and started a family.  They were blessed with four children - Rob, Sara, Heidi, and Holly.  Throughout his life, Ron utilized his multiple talents in several career fields working as a General Contractor for his own construction company, Real Estate Agent, and a Building Engineer for Hennepin County, from which he retired in 2005.    Ron is survived by his son and daughters, Rob (Jen) Machel, Sara (Jeff) Beach, Heidi (Kevin) Houck, Holly Machel; grandchildren, Elena and Isabel Machel, Alden and Emma Beach, Adela, Lilian, and Bernadette Houck; sister, Nancy (Paul) Storm Spano; step-brother, Lyle Koenig; and beloved dog Brandi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mildred; step-father, Norman Koenig; brother-in-law, Valroy Storm; niece and goddaughter, Lisa Storm; step-brother, Lee Koenig.    Ron worked hard and played hard.  He enjoyed a life of spending time with family, traveling, skiing, playing the accordion, golfing, and relaxing at the lake home he built in Harrison Hills, WI.  He traveled the world and found extraordinary joy and appreciation in all things German - he often marveled at German engineering and he loved "gemutlicheit," or good times with family and friends.  He cultivated a cross-continental bond by embracing his German friends as family.  At home he was an active member of the Germanic American Institute in St. Paul and the Pommerscher Verein Club in Wausau.  Ron brought the joy of polka music to many by playing his accordion for family and friends, as well as playing as a strolling accordionist for several German restaurants and events.  He was an avid skier and spent many years as a ski patroller on the hills at Afton Alps and traveling to majestic mountains throughout the world with the Ullr Ski Club.  He had a kind spirit and was always ready to make a new friend by sharing a joke or a polka.  He had many special and meaningful relationships.  He loved his family and was a faithful Lutheran.  Ron will be dearly missed by his family and friends and will forever remain in our hearts.    Visitation will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022, from 10-11 AM, followed by Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN with a reception to follow.  Ron loved telling stories and sharing memories.  There will be an opportunity during the service for anyone who wants to share a memory or story about him.  Livestream will be provided by McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation.     A Celebration of Life and Interment will be held May 6, 2023 in Wausau, WI, with details to follow.    Memorials preferred to Germanic-American Institute, St. Paul, or Pommerscher Verein, Wausau, or Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley.

https://www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Ronald-H-Machel?obId=26678025#/obituaryInfo

https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000444806/?fullname=ronald-h-ron-machel Published on December 18, 2022

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Updated 03/05/2023