Ron C. Keberlein

Ronald “Ron” Clarence Keberlein, age 79 of Menasha, WI joined God’s heavenly kingdom on May 18, 2023, surrounded by his beloved family.  He was born to Clarence and Margaret (Polacowski) Keberlein on October 3, 1943 in Appleton, WI. 

Ron, as the second oldest of a large family, started working a paper route to support his family as early as 10 years old.  In high school, he was employed at Gibson’s, picking up cars and readying them for customer delivery.  He later graduated from St. Mary’s High School and went on to work for the Banta Company, starting in the pressroom and moving to the prep department shortly after.  Ron earned his journeyman’s license and worked in prep until 1977, when he moved to the planning department.  He later became the department manager and finally retired in 2004 after 42 years of loyal service. 

Ron married Karen Mader in 1965.  Together, in 1983, they bought a cottage near Townsend on Archibald Lake.  Ron always said, “God gave me the privilege of taking care of this little spec of property.”  It truly was his little slice of heaven. 

Ron and Dianne Diedrich became a couple in 1998 and enjoyed doing everything together (with the exception of working on a computer together).  They were married on April 16, 2021. 

Ron was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Appleton, WI.  He was an active member, serving mass on weekdays, for funerals, and weekend masses.  After Dianne’s retirement, he instructed her on how to serve masses and together, they served for many years.  Ron was also a Eucharistic minister and a member of the men’s choir.  He enjoyed many friendships with his parish family. 

Ron was quite the clown, always inserting a joke at every opportunity.  And while everyone loved him, he was a bit of a clutz too.  It became a well-known fact to not let Ron borrow anything, because he was bound to break it somehow!  He liked entertaining his family and friends by doing an incredible impression of a trumpet with just his mouth.  He also enjoyed many cocktail cruises with his friends and family through the years.  More than anything, though, Ron was a family man, and spent as much time as he could with his beloved family. 

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Margaret Keberlein; his parents-in-law, David (Barb Halbach) Diedrich and Nancy Diedrich; his grandparents, Gustave and Cora Polakowski, and Alex and Rose Keberlein; his siblings, Richard Keberlein, Peter Keberlein, and Susan Strebe; his brother-in-law, Jim Ziolsowski; his nephew, Jeff LaCount; and his niece, Tammy (LaCount) Kron.

Ron is survived by his wife and other half, Dianne; his siblings, Robert Keberlein, Kurt (Michelle) Keberlein, Joyce Ziolkowski, Mary Keberlein, Paula (Fred) Endter, and Cheryl (Rod) Wolf; his siblings-in-law, Yvonne Keberlein, John Strebe, and Dan and Natalie Diedrich; his mother-in-law's significant other, Jim Liebzeit; Dianne’s Diedrich and Fochs families; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends. 

A funeral visitation will be held for Ron on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 9-11 AM at Sacred Heart Parish, 222 E Fremont St, Appleton, WI 54915 with a funeral service to follow at 11 AM.  Ron will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Hilbert at a later date.  Please consider leaving a message of sympathy for Ron’s family below.