Ron Sieren

Ronald “Ron” Kenneth Sieren, 74, of  Fairfield, IA, passed away on February 27th, 2024, in Cedar Rapids, IA, due to complications from a variety of health issues starting with a stroke in 2013. Despite his struggles, Ron remained cheerful and ornery until the end.

He was born in Sigourney, IA on November 7, 1949, to Kenny and Mary Louise Sieren as the oldest of 6. Ron graduated from Tri-County High School in 1968, where he then attended Marshalltown Junior College and finally transferred to Iowa State University to major in animal science and talking on the phone. He was married to the love of his life Sheryl Hahn on July 3, 1976.

Ron started his life working on a farm, and he never really strayed too far from that career. He established and was president of his local FFA chapter at Tri-County, and while he began his work life as a janitor and a hired farmhand, he managed to talk his way into a feed salesman job at Reiff Grain & Feed, which he kept for over 35 years. In January of 1985, Ron and Sheryl bought an acreage just north of Fairfield, where they raised their kids, pigs and an assortment of adopted stray dogs and cats. He was an active member of the Jefferson County Pork Producers, a volunteer at both Jefferson County and Iowa State Fairs, and a supporter of the local FFA and 4-H clubs.

Ron enjoyed any excuse to get together and socialize. You could find him playing in local community sports leagues, cheering on the Cyclones AND Hawkeyes in any sport, playing pinochle or cribbage at family holidays, sharing laugh-out-loud embarrassing stories of growing up at family reunions, dancing like he was bench-pressing the air and “kissing the bride” at weddings, and serving breakfast in between Sunday masses at church as a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also pretty famous for wheeling and dealing at local sales and auctions, and bringing home whatever didn’t get sold, much to Sheryl’s chagrin.

With Ron, if you were friends, you were family, and he ended up with a big one. He never knew a stranger, and if you spent more than 25 minutes with him, he’d have worked out how you were related. If you were single, he’d help you find a partner, whether you were interested or not. And if he happened to take an extra shine to you, you’d be unofficially adopted as one of his bonus kids or grandkids.

Ron is probably most well known for his singing. He might not have always known the words, but, if he knew the tune, he sure did try his best, loudly and (luckily) in key. From church hymns to Christmas carols to Three Dog Night, Ron enjoyed nothing more than serenading an audience. Some of his favorite songs included How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, Joy to the World, and, of course, Happy Birthday.   

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Raymond Sieren, his mother, Mary Louise (Seaba) Sieren, his sister-in-law Renee (Ralph) Sieren, and his nephew Edward Sieren.

 He is survived by his wife, Sheryl (Hahn) Sieren; his 5 siblings, Ralph Sieren, Jim (Susan) Sieren, Dorothy (Mike) Kerr, Charlie Sieren, and Carol (Ron) Knoot; his 5 children, Stacie (Nick) Long, Amy (Scott) Strasburger, Anthony (Karie) Sieren, Carrie Fuce, and Abby Sieren; and his 8 grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all of the medical professionals, care givers, and workers at the various facilities that Ron stayed at over the years. A special thanks to the caring staff of Keystone Care Center for taking such good care of Ron and supporting Sheryl during the last 5 years.

We will be wishing Ron “Happy Trails” at a celebration of life from 2 PM to 6 PM on March 23, 2024, at the Keokuk County Expo Hall, located at 22400 220th Ave, Sigourney, IA 52591. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family or to your local FFA organization.