Ronald E. Thooft

Ronald Edward Thooft was born on June 27, 1962 to Ernest and Victoria (DeBaere) Thooft in Tyler, Minnesota where he was raised. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. Ron attended school in Russell, Minnesota and graduated from Russell High School in 1980. Following his education, he began farming. While farming, he also started working at Tyler Oil Company. Ron met Pam Goblirsch and on September 18, 1982, the couple was married at St. Dionysius Catholic Church. They made their home on a farm near Russell where they were blessed and raised their three children. In 1994, Ron purchased the Tyler Oil Company and operated it for 27 years. He took great pride in the service he provided his customers and was proud of receiving the Tyler Business of the Year award in 2021 just before his retirement. Ron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2021 and fought it fiercely and bravely for two years. On Saturday, March 25, 2023, Ron died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family at the age of 60 years and nine months.

Ron was a lifelong member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Tyler Lions Club. For anyone that knew Ron, saying he was passionate about his family was an understatement. He was the biggest fan in the stands for his children. He treasured the time with his family through farming, camping and snowmobiling trips. When his grandchildren came, he enjoyed teaching them all of the things he loved. Many hours were spent playing sports, picking rock, gardening, mowing, biking and fishing. His grandchildren especially enjoyed when he thrilled them on Ranger rides by bumping into the tree known as “Big Momma.” Ron was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered as a kind, selfless and hardworking man.

Ron is lovingly survived by his wife of 40 years, Pam; three children, Brent (Sara) Thooft, Kristi (Jeremy) Jensen, and Casey (Dan) Paluch, all of Russell; nine grandchildren, Tenley, Liam and Adley Thooft, Eastyn, Archer and Tracker Jensen, and Ajax, Dyson and Ledger Paluch; six siblings, Randy (Laureen) Thooft of Balaton, Rita (Chuck) Klukas of Russell, Rose (Todd) Draper of Marshall, Rhonda (Criss) Newton of Brookings, SD, Robert (Melanie) Thooft of Tyler, and Butch (Kayleen) Thooft of Brookings, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Theo Paluch; parents, Ernie and Vicki Thooft; parents-in-law, Bernie and Donna Goblirsch; nephew, Rustin Thooft; niece, Jodi Pries and sister-in-law, Lisa Goblirsch.

Memorials may be directed to St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, Minnesota.