(Erwin) Ronald Nelson was born March 31, 1925 to Goran Nilsson (George Nelson) and Berry Kunigunda Johansson (Berry Johnson) in Stockholm, Saskatchewan. He was the 3rd child and son. His brothers, Lloyd and Gordon preceeded him. A sister, Loreen came after him, followed by brother Earl and sister, Myrna.
At the age of 10, my Dad lost his Mom and his father was left with 6 children to raise while running the family farm. The older boys all helped out with the younger ones and also helped with farm chores. From the time Ron (he later wanted to be called Ron as he did not like the name Erwin. When he got married, his wife's parents and their family in Ohio called him "Ronnie", but to everyone else, he was Ron.) was a young boy, he liked to take things apart and learn how things worked and he told his father, that when he grew up, he wanted to be an engineer. The family did not have a lot of money and Dad went to the local Stockholm school. Before Grade 11, he applied to Luther College (a private school in Regina)for a one year scholarship and as he had high marks, he was given a scholarship. Years later, he took us there for a visit and we saw the records for his schooling and he had all A's! As the scholarship was only for one year and not having the money to attend Grade 12 there, he returned to the little one room school in Stockholm.
After school was over, Dad worked on his Dad's farm and dreamed of going to university. World War 11 was going on and Dad joined the Canadian Army and went into training and prepared to go to Europe. Luckily for him and us (and the world!), the war ended. Ron returned home and entered university with the help of the Army and winning some scholarships along the way and just plain old hard work, he accomplished his goal of becoming a Mechanical Engineer (BSc. M.E). Between his 3rd and 4th year, Ron worked in Moose Jaw in his field and while going to the store with a co-worker and friend, was introduced to my Mom, Dorothea Ella Derringer. She was with her boyfriend at the time, but decided she was interested in this "good looking Swedish guy". Ron was also attracted to Dorothea and found her number and started dating her. Mom said that after her first date with Dad, she told her Mom and Dad that she had met the man she was going to marry!
Dad graduated the next year from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and having bought Dorothea a diamond ring, he proposed and then went to Ontario to look for a job. He got one right away and then, Mom accompanied by her Mom came down East to get married and start her new life with Dad.
Dad worked as a Mechanical Engineer and was made the Safety Standards Engineer for Polysar (now called Bayer) in Sarnia, Ontario. He also was transferred and did work for the company in London, England and Antwerp, Belgium. He had a successful career and was well respected by all who knew him. At his funeral, the retired President of Polysar came to the service for Dad!
Dad enjoyed his life and loved his wife and family very much.He was a great father, always ready to help us with homework, school projects and give advice about life issues. I'll always remember how patient he was with me in explaining and helping me with my dreaded math problems! He had many interests,including reading, golf and classical music. He loved to travel and enjoyed the long drives to get to places!He also loved to take his kids on vacation with him, which we appreciated and benefited from immensely.(Because of this, I and my siblings were able to see much of Canada, the U.S and Europe). Mom and Dad owned a condo in Seminole, Florida for many years and Ron was the President of the building and helped to ensure the smooth running of the place. They really enjoyed the friendships they made there. Dad sang in a barbershop group in Sarnia and even was a member of the Swedish club in Detroit for a number of years.
Dad developed Altzheimer's and fell and broke his hip in mid-September, 2010. He passed away from complications that developed post-surgery. He left his wife,Dorothea, children: Rhonda (Mark), Scott (Vikki) and Carole(Roland)and grandchildren: Hailey, Jesse, Sarah, Jordan and Tyler and his cat, Holly. He will be forever missed.
At the age of 10, my Dad lost his Mom and his father was left with 6 children to raise while running the family farm. The older boys all helped out with the younger ones and also helped with farm chores. From the time Ron (he later wanted to be called Ron as he did not like the name Erwin. When he got married, his wife's parents and their family in Ohio called him "Ronnie", but to everyone else, he was Ron.) was a young boy, he liked to take things apart and learn how things worked and he told his father, that when he grew up, he wanted to be an engineer. The family did not have a lot of money and Dad went to the local Stockholm school. Before Grade 11, he applied to Luther College (a private school in Regina)for a one year scholarship and as he had high marks, he was given a scholarship. Years later, he took us there for a visit and we saw the records for his schooling and he had all A's! As the scholarship was only for one year and not having the money to attend Grade 12 there, he returned to the little one room school in Stockholm.
After school was over, Dad worked on his Dad's farm and dreamed of going to university. World War 11 was going on and Dad joined the Canadian Army and went into training and prepared to go to Europe. Luckily for him and us (and the world!), the war ended. Ron returned home and entered university with the help of the Army and winning some scholarships along the way and just plain old hard work, he accomplished his goal of becoming a Mechanical Engineer (BSc. M.E). Between his 3rd and 4th year, Ron worked in Moose Jaw in his field and while going to the store with a co-worker and friend, was introduced to my Mom, Dorothea Ella Derringer. She was with her boyfriend at the time, but decided she was interested in this "good looking Swedish guy". Ron was also attracted to Dorothea and found her number and started dating her. Mom said that after her first date with Dad, she told her Mom and Dad that she had met the man she was going to marry!
Dad graduated the next year from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and having bought Dorothea a diamond ring, he proposed and then went to Ontario to look for a job. He got one right away and then, Mom accompanied by her Mom came down East to get married and start her new life with Dad.
Dad worked as a Mechanical Engineer and was made the Safety Standards Engineer for Polysar (now called Bayer) in Sarnia, Ontario. He also was transferred and did work for the company in London, England and Antwerp, Belgium. He had a successful career and was well respected by all who knew him. At his funeral, the retired President of Polysar came to the service for Dad!
Dad enjoyed his life and loved his wife and family very much.He was a great father, always ready to help us with homework, school projects and give advice about life issues. I'll always remember how patient he was with me in explaining and helping me with my dreaded math problems! He had many interests,including reading, golf and classical music. He loved to travel and enjoyed the long drives to get to places!He also loved to take his kids on vacation with him, which we appreciated and benefited from immensely.(Because of this, I and my siblings were able to see much of Canada, the U.S and Europe). Mom and Dad owned a condo in Seminole, Florida for many years and Ron was the President of the building and helped to ensure the smooth running of the place. They really enjoyed the friendships they made there. Dad sang in a barbershop group in Sarnia and even was a member of the Swedish club in Detroit for a number of years.
Dad developed Altzheimer's and fell and broke his hip in mid-September, 2010. He passed away from complications that developed post-surgery. He left his wife,Dorothea, children: Rhonda (Mark), Scott (Vikki) and Carole(Roland)and grandchildren: Hailey, Jesse, Sarah, Jordan and Tyler and his cat, Holly. He will be forever missed.
(Erwin) Ronald Nelson was born March 31, 1925 to Goran Nilsson (George Nelson) and Berry Kunigunda Johansson (Berry Johnson) in Stockholm, Saskatchewan. He was the 3rd child and son. His brothers, Lloyd and Gordon preceeded him. A sister, Loreen came after him, followed by brother Earl and sister, Myrna.
At the age of 10, my Dad lost his Mom and his father was left with 6 children to raise while running the family farm. The older boys all helped out with the younger ones and also helped with farm chores. From the time Ron (he later wanted to be called Ron as he did not like the name Erwin. When he got married, his wife's parents and their family in Ohio called him "Ronnie", but to everyone else, he was Ron.) was a young boy, he liked to take things apart and learn how things worked and he told his father, that when he grew up, he wanted to be an engineer. The family did not have a lot of money and Dad went to the local Stockholm school. Before Grade 11, he applied to Luther College (a private school in Regina)for a one year scholarship and as he had high marks, he was given a scholarship. Years later, he took us there for a visit and we saw the records for his schooling and he had all A's! As the scholarship was only for one year and not having the money to attend Grade 12 there, he returned to the little one room school in Stockholm.
After school was over, Dad worked on his Dad's farm and dreamed of going to university. World War 11 was going on and Dad joined the Canadian Army and went into training and prepared to go to Europe. Luckily for him and us (and the world!), the war ended. Ron returned home and entered university with the help of the Army and winning some scholarships along the way and just plain old hard work, he accomplished his goal of becoming a Mechanical Engineer (BSc. M.E). Between his 3rd and 4th year, Ron worked in Moose Jaw in his field and while going to the store with a co-worker and friend, was introduced to my Mom, Dorothea Ella Derringer. She was with her boyfriend at the time, but decided she was interested in this "good looking Swedish guy". Ron was also attracted to Dorothea and found her number and started dating her. Mom said that after her first date with Dad, she told her Mom and Dad that she had met the man she was going to marry!
Dad graduated the next year from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and having bought Dorothea a diamond ring, he proposed and then went to Ontario to look for a job. He got one right away and then, Mom accompanied by her Mom came down East to get married and start her new life with Dad.
Dad worked as a Mechanical Engineer and was made the Safety Standards Engineer for Polysar (now called Bayer) in Sarnia, Ontario. He also was transferred and did work for the company in London, England and Antwerp, Belgium. He had a successful career and was well respected by all who knew him. At his funeral, the retired President of Polysar came to the service for Dad!
Dad enjoyed his life and loved his wife and family very much.He was a great father, always ready to help us with homework, school projects and give advice about life issues. I'll always remember how patient he was with me in explaining and helping me with my dreaded math problems! He had many interests,including reading, golf and classical music. He loved to travel and enjoyed the long drives to get to places!He also loved to take his kids on vacation with him, which we appreciated and benefited from immensely.(Because of this, I and my siblings were able to see much of Canada, the U.S and Europe). Mom and Dad owned a condo in Seminole, Florida for many years and Ron was the President of the building and helped to ensure the smooth running of the place. They really enjoyed the friendships they made there. Dad sang in a barbershop group in Sarnia and even was a member of the Swedish club in Detroit for a number of years.
Dad developed Altzheimer's and fell and broke his hip in mid-September, 2010. He passed away from complications that developed post-surgery. He left his wife,Dorothea, children: Rhonda (Mark), Scott (Vikki) and Carole(Roland)and grandchildren: Hailey, Jesse, Sarah, Jordan and Tyler and his cat, Holly. He will be forever missed.
At the age of 10, my Dad lost his Mom and his father was left with 6 children to raise while running the family farm. The older boys all helped out with the younger ones and also helped with farm chores. From the time Ron (he later wanted to be called Ron as he did not like the name Erwin. When he got married, his wife's parents and their family in Ohio called him "Ronnie", but to everyone else, he was Ron.) was a young boy, he liked to take things apart and learn how things worked and he told his father, that when he grew up, he wanted to be an engineer. The family did not have a lot of money and Dad went to the local Stockholm school. Before Grade 11, he applied to Luther College (a private school in Regina)for a one year scholarship and as he had high marks, he was given a scholarship. Years later, he took us there for a visit and we saw the records for his schooling and he had all A's! As the scholarship was only for one year and not having the money to attend Grade 12 there, he returned to the little one room school in Stockholm.
After school was over, Dad worked on his Dad's farm and dreamed of going to university. World War 11 was going on and Dad joined the Canadian Army and went into training and prepared to go to Europe. Luckily for him and us (and the world!), the war ended. Ron returned home and entered university with the help of the Army and winning some scholarships along the way and just plain old hard work, he accomplished his goal of becoming a Mechanical Engineer (BSc. M.E). Between his 3rd and 4th year, Ron worked in Moose Jaw in his field and while going to the store with a co-worker and friend, was introduced to my Mom, Dorothea Ella Derringer. She was with her boyfriend at the time, but decided she was interested in this "good looking Swedish guy". Ron was also attracted to Dorothea and found her number and started dating her. Mom said that after her first date with Dad, she told her Mom and Dad that she had met the man she was going to marry!
Dad graduated the next year from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and having bought Dorothea a diamond ring, he proposed and then went to Ontario to look for a job. He got one right away and then, Mom accompanied by her Mom came down East to get married and start her new life with Dad.
Dad worked as a Mechanical Engineer and was made the Safety Standards Engineer for Polysar (now called Bayer) in Sarnia, Ontario. He also was transferred and did work for the company in London, England and Antwerp, Belgium. He had a successful career and was well respected by all who knew him. At his funeral, the retired President of Polysar came to the service for Dad!
Dad enjoyed his life and loved his wife and family very much.He was a great father, always ready to help us with homework, school projects and give advice about life issues. I'll always remember how patient he was with me in explaining and helping me with my dreaded math problems! He had many interests,including reading, golf and classical music. He loved to travel and enjoyed the long drives to get to places!He also loved to take his kids on vacation with him, which we appreciated and benefited from immensely.(Because of this, I and my siblings were able to see much of Canada, the U.S and Europe). Mom and Dad owned a condo in Seminole, Florida for many years and Ron was the President of the building and helped to ensure the smooth running of the place. They really enjoyed the friendships they made there. Dad sang in a barbershop group in Sarnia and even was a member of the Swedish club in Detroit for a number of years.
Dad developed Altzheimer's and fell and broke his hip in mid-September, 2010. He passed away from complications that developed post-surgery. He left his wife,Dorothea, children: Rhonda (Mark), Scott (Vikki) and Carole(Roland)and grandchildren: Hailey, Jesse, Sarah, Jordan and Tyler and his cat, Holly. He will be forever missed.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
