Ron Rosenhagen
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Ronald Wayne Rosenhagen was born October 9, 1934 in the family farmhouse near Cheney, Kansas to Henry and Pauline Rosenhagen. The oldest of four, he was raised on the farm with his three brothers Raymond, Richard and Renard. He started hand-milking cows at age 5 and driving a tractor at 9. The only time he had a break was when it rained, so he loved rain his entire life.
Ron was prepared to continue the family tradition of farming, a career chosen by his brothers. He was excited when he was able to work on a brand new Super M tractor in High School. After High School graduation he worked 2 years on the farm and then volunteered and served 2 years in the Army, mostly in Germany. After the Army he returned to the farm and worked with his Dad toward building his own farm.
During this time the most beautiful girl he had ever seen drove into Cheney with three other girls. He met her at the Cheney gas station and brushed away one of his friends who was also interested in her. To get a chance to see her more, Ron organized a party at a dance bar and made sure she came. This eventually led to his marriage to this girl, June Darmstetter, on August 11, 1957. The couple honeymooned at the Red Ram Hotel in Fort Scott (still there) where they enjoyed the Lake of the Ozarks.
Ron decided that farming wasn’t a long-term career for him so he did that hardest thing of his life and told his dad that he didn’t want to farm. Ron and June bought a house in Wichita and he pursued a degree in Industrial Engineering while working part-time at a bike shop and June hosted a swap-shop program on the local radio. His degree led to a job as an engineer at Ethyl in Baton Rouge where he worked for 10 years.
Ron wanted 2 kids and June wanted 4 kids, so they had 4 kids. Kurt and Rick were born while they were in Wichita. Brad and Renee were born while they were in Baton Rouge.
In 1970 Ron was approached by the CEO of AWC, an industrial sales company, and asked to move to Houston to start a Texas division. He did so and grew the division to multiple offices and to be the largest division in the company. In 1991 Ron left AWC to form his own company, Success Resources, that brought small businesses together to benefit from a cooperative Quality Program. Years later he returned to industrial sales as a rep for a Houston-based instrumentation manufacturer.
He loved his work but he also loved the Lord and being with his family. His strong work ethic was coupled with a primary focus on a faith-filled relationship with Christ and a life filled making experiences with his family. These priorities were taught and modeled to his kids, grand-kids and friends.
Ron enjoyed worshiping God and inviting people, including strangers, to join him at church. He was an active member and leader at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for decades. He led building programs and many ministries at Gloria Dei, providing an example that each of his kids have followed in their churches. Many at Gloria Dei remember the Men of Integrity conference he created and led that attracted 400 men.
Ron loved his family and he loved parties and time with others. He especially loved family parties and was always ready to get family together. This is a legacy that continues through his children.
Ron was most proud of the love and accomplishments of his kids, kid-in-laws and grand-kids. His family includes:
Wife: June Rosenhagen
Children: Kurt and Alice Rosenhagen, Rick and Becky Rosenhagen, Brad and Lisa Rosenhagen, Renee and Joe Kelly
Grandchildren: Justin and Laura Rosenhagen, Chelsea Rosenhagen, Lindsay Rosenhagen, Grant Rosenhagen, Emily and Phillip Hamm, Blake Rosenhagen, Matthew, Ryan and Natalie Kelly
Great Grandchildren: Avery, Jansen, Mia, Hagen, Kyler
Ron went home to be with Jesus on April 14, 2020. His last decade was spent dealing with the onslaught of Parkinson's, but he did his best to minimize its impact on his life and experiences with family and friends. He looked forward to the home Jesus has prepared for him and to spending time with family and friends in eternity.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Endowment Fund (www.gdlc.org) or Houston Area Parkinson Society (hapsonline.org).