Ronald Larson

Madison: Ronald Edward Larson, age 78, died in the loving arms of his Sunshine and surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 26th after a courageous fight against Myelodysplastic Syndrome MDS (cancer of the bone marrow). Ron was born on December 12, 1943 in River Falls, WI. Ron was raised in Readstown, WI by his parents, Alfred and Ardus Lason and his Aunt Cornelle. He worked in the family Grocery Store, Larson’s Meat Market, while young. Ron also has two younger sisters, Linda Eide (Steve) and Karen Larson (Rene) and is preceded in death by his parents and aunt and is survived by his family and many good friends.

Ron married the love of this life, Patti Ann, who he lovingly called, “Sunshine” or “Pretty Lady” in 1976. Ron and Patti have three daughters, Jayne Larson, Kim Larson, and Pam Hammen (John). They have eight grandchildren (Josh, Quinnten, Mikayla, Ronnie, Samuel, Forrest, Ryan and Ashley) and five great grandchildren, with two more on the way. Ron and Patti Ann were happiest when together and loved to spend time with family and friends. They were season ticket holders to the Badger football and girls basketball games and enjoyed canoeing, whitewater rafting, cross country skiing, and traveling. Ron enjoyed going to Brewers games and trout fishing.

Ron is an accomplished scholar, involved in many activities and well liked by all. He graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1962 from Readstown High School. He was a Band Officer, Lettermen’s Club Officer, sang in the chorus, was in the junior and senior class play, and a member of FFA, Yearbook, Forensics and recipient of the Spade Award. He was the Junior Prom King and was on the prom and homecoming courts for multiple years. He played baseball, basketball, volleyball and track and earned the leadership role of Captain of the basketball team. He also played the drums in the Readstown Band. And then there were the Wednesday night free movies, Saturday night dances, and hanging out at Emery’s Cafe with his buddies that made the Kickapoo Valley home.

Ron’s mother and aunt were both teachers and Ron valued education and had an easy and natural gift of learning. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1966 with a major in Zoology and Medical Science and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree. His graduate studies focused on reproductive physiology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He worked for Endocrine, Hazelton then Covance Laboratories for many years as the Director of Toxicology Operations and then as the Director of Quality Assurance. Ron was also a member of the 1987 AALAS Executive Committee, served on the Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1987 and was the 1989 President Elect. He served as a member on the Board or Directors and as Vice President for the Wisconsin Association of Biomedical Research and Education as well as the Advisory Committee of the Madison College Animal Technician and Veterinary Technician Programs. In 1993, he was the recipient of the Garvey Award, published several articles, and gave too many lectures to list.  After retiring, he founded the RL Quality and Compliance Consulting Business.

Ron was a steward of the land. He was a founding member of the Dunn Plan Commission and was elected Chairman of the committee in 1977 and held this leadership role until 1990. Ron was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Land Use Plan, the Open Space Plan that showed the environmental corridors for the Town of Dunn, and the Land Division Ordinance. He was recognized by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Feingold in 1990 for this work.

Ron was bright and accomplished, yet humble. He was well respected and when he spoke, others listened. But mostly, he was loved. Ron and his Sunshine shared a true love that most can only hope for. They were stuck together like velcro and Ron hated to be away from his Pretty Lady. He wrote letters to those he loved and on the one fishing trip he took without his Sunshine, he wrote her a love letter each day that began with, “Good Morning Sunshine.” In another letter he told his Sunshine that “She was the prize and the girls the bonus.”

He is loved and missed more than mere words can describe. He will always be present in our hearts.

Family and friends are invited to Ron’s Celebration of Life on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at the Cress Center located at 6021 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705. The visitation will begin at noon and the memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the family will be used per Ron's wishes.  For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed.

The service can be accessed with the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=bd7d7b96-e34d-4e31-aff5-1ab652cb2e94

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406