Ronald Eugene Loudenbeck

Ronald (Ron) Loudenbeck died November 22, 2024 in Linn Township.

Ron was born on June 21, 1941 to Elmer & Glenna (Fair) Loudenbeck in Boone County, Illinois. When Ron was a young boy, the family purchased a dairy farm in rural Linn Township, near Zenda, Wisconsin.

Ron graduated from Big Foot High School in 1959.  Ron and high school classmate Gale (Davis) Loudenbeck were married on December 14, 1961 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Walworth.

Ron and Gale were blessed with two fine sons who grew up helping Ron and Elmer with the cow dairy and also raising swine, beef cattle and boer goats. Ron also raised white German Shepherds and purchased a handful of unusual animals, such as a heifer Brahma named Wrecker that the boys were able to ride. After a barn fire in 2003, the family sold the cows but continued crop farming and raising boer goats.  A few years later Ron’s son, Steven, and grandson, Seth, built a commercial goat dairy operation on the farm. The milking parlor is framed by the original foundation walls from the main barn structure.  The operation has grown quite large over the years and Ron had the opportunity to lend a hand when he was able.

After the death of his wife in 2022, Ron continued living independently at the farm, with some assistance from family, until his recent illness and hospitalization.  He enjoyed working in his gardens, reading the farm papers, and going for a drive in the country.

Ron is survived by two sons Steven (Christine) Loudenbeck and Matthew (Amy) Loudenbeck. Grandchildren Seth (McKenna) Loudenbeck, Hannah Loudenbeck and Ryan Loudenbeck, great-granddaughter Addilyn Loudenbeck, sister Kay Hayden, sister Karen Woodrich, brother-in-law Gordy Woodrich, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his wife Gale , his parents, parents-in-law Foster and Fedalma Davis, and brother-in-law Frank Hayden.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ron’s honor to the Historical Society of Walworth & Big Foot Prairie.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting the family of Ron Loudenbeck.