Ronald Kropf

Ronald G. Kropf, 70, passed away December 19, 2018 at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay, MN.  Ron was born December 11, 1948 in Waseca, MN to Robert M. and Arlene G. (Holtz) Kropf. The family moved to Babbitt, MN when Ron was a young child and he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1966.  He enlisted and served in the US Marine Corp 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War, and was wounded in action, receiving a Purple Heart.  He attended Vermillion and Virginia Community Colleges.  Ron married Carol Tomljanovich on July 17, 1971 in Duluth, MN where they raised their family.  He loved working for the Duluth Fire Department and retired in 2004. In addition to the Fire Service, Ron worked for the American Steamship Company teaching fire safety and first aid.  Ron was a member of Lakeview Covenant Church and the Duluth DAV.  Ron had a passion to help others in many ways including as a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital and teaching fire safety and reading to children in the schools. He was an avid outdoorsman his entire life, and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting spending a lot of his time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area where he also was a guide. He will be fondly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, generosity in helping others, and as an amazing father and grandfather.  He touched many lives and will be missed dearly. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol; sons, Matthew (Kelly), Nicholas (Sara), and Jonathan (Elaina);  grandchildren Samuel, Abigail, Adeline, Calvin, and Harrison;  sisters, Karen (Al) Maddern, Linda Bichsel, Vivian (Gary) Kolkin, Dorothy Shepherd, and Mary Theriault;  sister in law, Susan (Dale) Mott, brother in law, David (Carol) Tomljanovich, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec 27th from 5:00 – 7:00 at Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.  The funeral will be Friday Dec 28th at 11:00 AM at Lakeview Covenant Church with a visitation prior at 10:00 AM.  Interment will be at 2:00 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth.