In Memory of Ronald K. Winterhof

Ronald Keith Winterhof, age 80, passed away on April 14, 2026, at the Methodist Manor of Storm Lake, Iowa. 

At Ron’s request, there will be no service. Burial will be in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at christensenvanhouten.com

Ronald Keith Winterhof, the son of Edgar and Irene (Marguerite) (Brown) Winterhof, was born on March 12, 1946, in Alta, Iowa. Ron was baptized and confirmed at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, attended K-8^th grades at Hanover Lutheran School, graduated from Galva High School in 1964, and studied accounting at Mankato College. 

On June 19, 1966, Ron married Janice Ann Phelps in Ida Grove. After their marriage Ron joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Williams Air Force Base near Chandler, Arizona and served overseas in Udorn, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge he completed a business degree at Arizona State University. Ron then worked as Assistant Registrar at ASU. He enjoyed attending ASU sports events and was a fan for life.

In 1985 Ron and Jan moved back to Iowa to be close to family and farmed the Phelps farm for several years. Jan passed away in 1997 and Ron continued farming for a few years. He then worked at the ASCS office in Ida Grove, had a construction business with Darold Lindstrom, worked at Rod’s Fertilizer in Galva, and more recently worked at Johnston Auto in Storm Lake and Spencer.

In his free time Ron enjoyed fishing, playing cards and pool, golfing, and watching sports on TV; especially ASU—he was a Sun Devil at heart. 

Ron is survived by daughter Christine Winterhof (Matt) Wunschel of Ida Grove, IA; granddaughter Brittany Wunschel (Mark) Rogers of Schaller, IA; grandson Stefan Wunschel of Odebolt, IA; great-grandsons Colten and Gavin Rogers; brother Warren (Nancy) Winterhof of Cedar Rapids, IA; aunt Delores Popp of Marshalltown, IA; sister-in-law Susan Phelps (Thomas) Rongitsch of Bradenton, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to Jan, Ron was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Irene (Marguerite) Winterhof; brother Gordon Winterhof; brother Kenneth and wife Judy; grandparents Henry and Lilah Winterhof and Lewis and Ethel Brown; in-laws Charles and Betty Phelps; and nephew Chad Winterhof.