Ronald Neil Earl, 86

Ronald Neil Earl, age 86, of Zimmerman, passed away on June 24, 2024. Ron was an Austin High School graduate class of 1956. Treasured and loved by many who knew him. He will be missed and never forgotten. He was our family rock, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing and even a glorious pain in the neck. Family was everything to him and he’d be by our side immediately if we needed him. As our birthdays roll around, we will all think of dad/grandpa and miss that call from him singing “Happy Birthday” very loud and totally off-key! We are sad but comforted knowing that he is now reunited with mom after 23 years apart and believe they are looking down proudly from Heaven at the great family they created. Dad was preceded in death by his wife and our mom, Mary Kay Earl, his parents, Arthur Earl and M. Elaine Smith, and his brother, Paul Smith. He is survived by his children, Roger (Jean) Earl of Elk River; Erin and husband John Zuehlke of Maple Grove; Thomas (Deanna) Earl of Zimmerman; and Dennis (Debi) Earl of Milaca; 11 loving grandchildren, Nicole (Rich) Morgan, Andrea Earl, Joseph (Ashley) Pecoraro, Ashley Matthiesen, Anthony (Christina) Pecoraro, Bryce Earl, Jacob (Morgan) Earl, Megan Earl, Cole Earl, Erika Earl and Dylan Earl and 8 loving great-grandchildren. Dad is also survived by his sister, Lillian Carpenter of Oceanside, CA and his brother, Curt Smith of Frankfurt, Germany, sister-in-law, Barbara Ellingson of Moose Lake, and brother-in-law James E. (Barbara) Kelly of Middletown, DE, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass Tuesday, August 13 at Christ our Light Catholic Church in Princeton at 11:00 a.m. Visitation one hour prior and a Luncheon to follow Mass.