Ronald D. Dunford Sr., 53, of Owatonna, died Saturday while ice fishing in Lake of the Woods County in northern Minnesota.

He was born July 2, 1954, in Austin, the son of Richard and Magdelina (Noordhoek) Dunford.

Ron graduated from Turkey Valley High School in Ft. Atkinson, Iowa. Ron later worked at Farmstead Foods in Albert Lea. He married Sherrie Erickson Sept. 11, 1999, at their home in rural Owatonna. Ron was employed at SPX in Owatonna where he had worked for the past 15 years. He was a member of ABATE of Minnesota, Straight River Chapter. He enjoyed shooting pool, and his most favorite thing was his Harley. Ron enjoyed being with his family, and was a very, very hard worker.

Ronald is survived by his wife Sherrie of Owatonna; two sons, Ron Dunford Jr. of Faribault and Nathan (Jenny) Dunford of River Falls, Wis.; three stepsons Sean Kreeger, Scott Kreeger and Ben Wilson, all of Owatonna; and five grandchildren Devon, Annabella, Alexis, Connor, and Jewel. He is also survived by two brothers Randy (Brenda) Dunford of Walters and Richard Dunford of Medford; and two sisters Lynn (Tom) Mansager of Hollandale and Lori (Reid) Knudsen of Clarks Grove. His parents and stepfather Tony Kochis preceded him in death.

Services were held Friday, Jan. 25.