Ronald Gene Iske

Ron was born on August 18, 1944 in Freeport, the son of Emerson and Helen (Lego) Iske. He is a Lanark High School graduate. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Ron married Gretchen Kay Carbaugh on November 13, 1965 in Mt. Carroll. They celebrated thirty years of marriage. Gretchen passed away September 25, 1995. Ronald Gene Iske, age 68 of Lanark, Illinois, died on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Ron served in the US Army from 1966 – 1969, he then also served in the Army National Guard. After serving in the army, Ron returned to the family farm where he was raised and continued the tradition of caring for the land that has been in the family for 5 generations. Ron also worked as a farm equipment salesman and provided transportation for DCFS. Ron never met a stranger because he was willing to strike up a conversation with anyone and loved to learn from and share with them. He loved collecting a variety of unusual antiques which he exhibited and like to stump people as to their purpose. Dancing, especially square dancing, was also a passion. He took many mission trips including Haiti, Argentina, Texas and Ohio. Over his lifetime, Ron has traveled to five continents, more than thirty countries and nearly every state. He saw much of Europe while in the service and enjoyed recent trips to New Zealand and China.
Ron is a life time attendee and active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark and Way of Christ Movement. He served on the Brookville Cemetery Board and was very active in the Carroll County Farm Bureau, the Lanark American Legion, and Morrison Grand Squares.
Ron will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his son,William (Michelle) Iske of Lanark; his two daughters, Renea (Brad) Witt of Lanark and Rebecca (Dennis Hatfield) of Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Grant, Gage and Jett Iske and Jenessa, Hannah and Reid Witt; his mother, Helen Iske of Lanark; his sister, Joanne (Lincoln) Arnold of Freeport; his mother in-law, Francis Carbaugh of Freeport; and his special friend, Marilyn Johnson. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen; his father, Emerson; and his father in-law Max Carbaugh.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Reverend EC Lathrop officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark. Memorials may be given to the Carroll County Farm Bureau or the Ferguson Cancer Center, Freeport, Illinois in Ronald’s memory.