Royal "Roy" Rondeau

KEOSAUQUA, Iowa - Royal 'Roy' Rondeau, age 85, died on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Keosauqua Health Care Center.

Roy was the son of the late Clement and Beatrice (Johnson) Rondeau, born Dec. 30, 1932. He attended school in Ironwood, Mich., and later would serve in the Army, during active duty in the Korean War.

After returning home, he traveled to various states for work and adventure. He was a firefighter in Coeur d'alene, Idaho, and worked at the American Motors, in Milwaukee, Wis.

Royal came home and married the love of his life, Anna (Ann) Kraynak, on July 4, 1959, and together they raised five children in Ironwood, in a house they built with their own hands and with the kids' help.

Roy worked in the White Pine mines until an injury sidelined him in 1985. He stayed busy by being an active member of the Democratic Party in Gogebic County, even running on the local ballot. Roy loved watching sports and playing the lottery, and he and Annie also loved to travel to Las Vegas over the years, sharing many happy memories there, before her death in March of 1999.

Royal leaves behind his five children: Royal (Christine) Rondeau, Neenah, Wis .; Willard (Donna) Rondeau, Adrian, Mich .; Perrin (Brenda) Rondeau, Winona, Minn .; Susan Rondeau, Lansing, Mich .; Beth (Jeff) Deacon, Ft. Madison; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He also leaves behind a brother, Joseph (Ann) Rondeau, a sister, Betty Arasim, and several close in-laws and friends, with a special mention of Tom and Joy Kraynak. Without their help, Roy could not have stayed in his home as long as he did. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, and four brothers; Clement (Bob), Raymond, Michael and Richard Rondeau, as well as several of Ann's brothers and sisters.

Royal spent the last few years away from his beloved Ironwood, while he was cared for by family. We would like to thank the staff at Keosauqua Heath Care Center, for their care of our father, in his final months.

Royal requested no public funeral, and wishes his ashes to be spread in the place he called home, Ironwood.