Ronald "Ron" J. Delagardelle

Ronald J. “Ron” Delagardelle 88, made his final exit from life’s stage on December 7, 2024, and went home to be with his Lord in a new role.

His Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 10:00 am, where a visitation will be held one hour prior to his service. A visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Dawson Funeral Services in Maquoketa. A Rosary will be recited at 3:15 pm on Wednesday, December 11 at Dawson Funeral Services in Maquoketa. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Maquoketa.

He appeared on life’s stage on a farm in Black Hawk County, Iowa, under the direction of his parents, Philip and Cecelia (Schmitz) Delagardelle, the youngest of five brothers and two sisters, all who have preceded him off-stage. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary and High School in Gilbertville, and later Loras College where he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English Literature. He served his country with six years in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged.

In the best move of his life, he met and married his beloved wife Joan Morel, in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, on September 9, 1961, and enjoyed 61 years of married life. She preceded him, exiting life on September 18, 2022. They were blessed with four excellent children: Charles (Kate); Michelle (Dennis) Rolling; Michael (Tina); and Jeanine (Kevin) O’Bryan. He is also remembered by seven grandchildren: Kyrstin Delagardelle, Lorene McLaughlin, Mattias Delagardelle, Maddy Rolling, Jack Rolling, Kaitlin O’Bryan and Colin O’Bryan, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ron was a member of the Jackson County Historical Society, Peace Pipe Players, MEA, and Sacred Heart Church, where he served in the funeral choir, and served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister for over 60 years. He also worked for the parish as a teacher in the RCIA program for several years. He taught literature at Maquoketa for 33 years. He and Joan organized and ran the first Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Jackson Count and continued to support it.

Besides his family, one of his joys was being part of Peace Pipe Players, where he was involved in many plays, and also had a small speaking role in the movie F.I.S.T. He enjoyed working outdoors and worked summers in construction and landscaping. He also enjoyed reading, crosswords, watching sports, especially baseball and golf, both of which he played rather poorly in his youth.

Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Church, Hospice of Jackson County, Alzheimer’s Association of Maquoketa, or any charity or organization of your choice.

May peace and blessings be with all who knew him.

Online condolences may be made for the family at www.dawsonfuneral.com. Memorials may be directed to Dawson Funeral Services Po Box 258 Wyoming, Iowa 52362.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.