Ronald Lawrence Dage, 71, of Amana, passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Friday, March 15, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Ron was born to Carroll and Margaret Hedges of Iowa City, on Aug. 5, 1947. In 1950, his father, Carroll, was killed in an automobile accident and subsequently, Ron and his four siblings were placed for adoption. This tragic event was to have a lifelong impact on Ron’s life. He was then adopted by Lawrence and Margaret Dage and lovingly raised on a small farm near Albia.
Ron completed his schooling in Albia before enlisting in the Navy in 1965. He was very proud of his military service, especially as a Vietnam Veteran on the U.S.S. Arlington, a communications ship. Ron enjoyed traveling the world with his shipmates. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and began working at Amana Refrigeration in 1969. That same year, he began working for Robert and Loy Walker of Marengo, in their growing farming operation. This turned into a lifelong friendship and Ron enjoyed it tremendously.
Ron married Karen Cardani at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marengo, in October of 1981. They moved to Amana in 1986. Ron worked for Amana Refrigeration for 41 years in various positions before retiring in December of 2009. He continued to work for Bob Walker in the spring and fall for nearly 50 years.
Ron was such a kind and caring person, warm and welcoming, who was always the first to lend a helping hand. He loved to have fun, and oh how he could reel us in with his special and unique sense of humor that was all his own. Ron enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and his beloved cats, Emily and Lexie. He also enjoyed playing cards, shooting pool, going to the casinos, and more recently, collecting antique oil cans.
Survivors include his wife, Karen, of 45 years; brother, Tom (Carol) Dage of Gladstone, Mo.; three sisters, Becky Roberts of Albia, Carroll Whetstine of Iowa City, Iowa, and Midge (George) Stonecipher of Carenero, La.; brother born, Charles Hedges, whereabouts unknown; and 14 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel in early summer.