Ronald L. Mathews
Ronald L. Mathews, 88, rural Leland, passed away peacefully with family by his side Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at the Lake Mills Care Center. A memorial service for Ron was held Monday, Feb. 24, at Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills with Pastor Bill Peters officiating.
Ronald Lee Mathews was born in Mt. Valley Township, Winnebago Co., Sept. 2, 1936 to parents ,Martel and Agnes (Charlson) Mathews. From the age of six months until the time of his passing, Ron has lived on the same acreage his entire life. Ron graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1954.
On June 1, 1954, Ron was united in marriage to Carole (Larson) at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scarville. To this union, four children were born: Jon, Mike, Julie, and Nancy. The couple enjoyed camping with family, spending time with children and grandchildren, and wintering in Texas for 12 winters. The couple was blessed to spend 70 years together.
Early in his career, Ron drove school bus for the Lake Mills School District. There are even tales of him making 100 shots in a row on a basketball hoop that was in the old bus barn, before and after his daily route.
Ron then took at job at Winnebago Industries in 1958, and was a part of building the first motorhome ever produced by Winnebago. He continued working there as a Production Manager until his retirement in 1980.
Ron was never really fully retired—taking a part-time job working at the Leland Feed Mill after his time at Winnebago. During all of this, Ron was also a lifelong farmer.
Fishing, hunting, golfing, were just some of Ron’s favorite activities. He was always up for a game of cribbage with his family, and never turned down an opportunity to get his picture taken. Family camping trips, especially recently when he hosted the entire family at the farm over the Fourth of July holiday, will always be a cherished memory.
Ron had the ability to fix anything—joking that there has never been a welder, plumber, electrician, or contractor that has worked on his farm.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Mathews; children: Jon (Marna) Mathews, Mike (Lisa) Mathews, Julie (Don) Helgeson, and Nancy Holt; grandchildren: Chelsea (Ben) Schaefer, Emily (Skyler) Mongan, Lacey (Gary) Register, Ben Mathews, Haley (Garrett) Olson, Quinton (Mikala) Wilson, Michele Huggins, Dylan (Abby) Davis, Sara (Todd) Pederson, Jennifer (Adam) Sauer, Jill (Mike) Jefferson, and Jeffrey Holt; numerous great-grandchildren; as well as many loving in-laws, extended relatives, and friends.
Ron is preceded in death by both parents; a great-grandson, Eli Olson; and siblings: Arlo Mathews, Karolyn (Roger) Flatrud, and Verlaine (Gussie) Swingen.
