A Service of Sharing for Ronald Merlin Andersen, 75, who passed away Monday, January 28, 2019, in Des Moines of a sudden heart attack, will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.  The family will greet friends from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday prior to services.

Ron grew up on a small farm outside of Obert, Nebraska. He graduated from Obert High school in 1961 with a class of 6 people and enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1966 as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. He traveled to many remote locations while serving our country, which led to meeting his wife in 1966 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. Heidi and Ron's family grew with the addition of their first son, Alex. Following Ron's honorable discharge in December of 1970, he moved his family to Des Moines, Iowa. While settling in Des Moines, they added another son, Alan and Ron started his career as a controller at Des Moines Tower. In 1977, they moved to their acreage just outside Indianola raising two boys and enjoying Ron's passion of working his horses, Pete and Waco. Ron enjoyed trail rides, training other horses and tending to the Andersen Ranch.  He worked hard at his career and loved being an Air Traffic Controller. He reluctantly retired after 39 years, but he couldn't leave it entirely and returned a year later working for Rayathon as a contract instructor for the FAA for an additional 3 years.

Once fully retired, Ron loved tinkering and manicuring the acreage, working on mom's 'honey-do' lists and so forth. His passion also continued with his love for revolvers, going to gun shows, and shooting at his homemade range. The only thing he loved more when shooting, was when his sons or grandkids came over to shoot with him. Dad glowed for family gatherings at the RA Ranch.

Dad or Opa, the kids affectionately called him, was the rock of our family. He truly was a cowboy, heart and soul. He could do anything and we loved him for it. He was our hero and his superpower was slowing the world down to enjoy what was truly important, family. He loved the Lord and is now home with his Heavenly Father.

Ron and Heidi were married nearly 53 wonderful years, a blessing in its own right. We love you dad and there will forever be a missing piece in our hearts.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi Andersen; sons, Alex Andersen and children, Cheyenne, Colton and Cassy Andersen, Alan (Vickie) Andersen and children Payton and Preston Andersen; brother Don (Jane) Andersen; sister-in-law Anita Boblest and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Marion Andersen.

Memorials may be given to the family in his name.