Ronald DeLong, 1957-2018

Published 12:04 am Saturday, March 3, 2018

Ronald D. DeLong died Friday, March 1, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, at the age of 61.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oakcrest Funeral Services Winter Chapel in Buffalo Center, Iowa, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Ronald Duane “Captain Ron” DeLong was born Feb. 20, 1957, in Quamba, son of Robert and Joyce (Pechacek) DeLong. He grew up in Mora and graduated from Albert Lea High School. In earlier years, Ron worked at Scotsman Refrigeration.

He married  Judy Leschefske on Dec. 3, 1978, in Albert Lea.

Ron was an honest man, and he had a great work ethic. In 1985, he and his wife started Captain’s Choice Fish and Seafood, growing the business through the years while still operating it. They also operated Captain Ron’s Bar in Rake for seven years, selling it in 2014. Ron loved being with his family, especially at their cabin at Clear Lake in Jackson. He also enjoyed traveling — especially to Mexico, hunting in Africa, fishing and cooking. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Rake.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, of Buffalo Center; son, Tim DeLong, of Rake; two grandchildren, Jade and Dereck DeLong of Rake; his mother, Joyce DeLong, of Wisconsin; three siblings, Kurt (Victoria) DeLong, Connie (Dan) VanStraten and Debbie DeLong, all of Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law, Sharron Folven of Kiester and Carol Leschefske of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; brother, Doug DeLong; his parents-in-law Chester and Bernice Leschefske; and three brothers-in-law, Maynard Leschefske, Duane Leschefske and Vernon Folven.

Online condolences may be made to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.