Ronald “Ron” LeRoy Anderson, 73 of Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Blooming Prairie, died Thursday evening, July 28, 2011, at Briarwood Health Care Center in Iowa City, Iowa.

He was born Sept. 11, 1937, in Albert Lea, Minn., the son of Martin and Lera (Wood) Anderson. He attended school in Blooming Prairie, graduating from Blooming Prairie High School in 1955. He continued his education at Dana College in Blair, Neb., before entering the Army. He served for four years and was assigned to a base in Germany for three of those years. Upon his discharge, Ron returned to Minnesota where he was the parts man for Krejci Ford for many years. He later joined Viking Chemical working as lead lab tech until his retirement at age 63. On July 15, 1972, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Mueller at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin. Shirley died on April 4, 2001.

Ron was an active member of First Lutheran Church, serving on various boards including as Congregational President twice. He was also a city councilman for two years and served as Mayor of Blooming Prairie for 18 years. He served on the Blooming Prairie Utilities Commission, Blooming Prairie Lions Club, the Steele County Park & Recreation Board, VFW Post 878 and was a 50-year member of American Legion Post 52. Ron was also very involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts both locally and at the district level and was awarded their highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award on March 12, 1994.

Survivors include two sons, Marshall (Becky) Anderson and their children, Hannah and Ethan of Grand Prairie, Texas and Michael (Carryn) Anderson and their children, Austin and Braden of North Liberty, Iowa; sister, Gloria (Norman) Baumgartner of Austin; parents-in-law, Vernon (Irma) Mueller of Austin and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Reverend Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Visitation will be from 4to 8 p.m. Monday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at First Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 52 and VFW Post 878 of Blooming Prairie. Memorials can be made to First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie, the American Diabetes Association or American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.