Ronald Weis

Ronald Jacob Weis left this imperfect world and moved on to a better fishing spot on August 9 after a six-year battle with cancer. He was well known for his generosity and humorous one-liners. He was a friend to many and his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

Ron was born on August 18, 1938, in Spencer, WI, to Jacob and Norma (Roy) Weis. He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm and played football and other sports with the Spencer High School Rockets. He was Valedictorian of his class when he graduated in 1956 and went on to one year of college at UWSP-Wausau.

In 1957, Ron married the love of his life, Yvonne Ringquist. They moved to Beloit, WI, and soon became a family of three with the birth of their son, Chris. Their family was complete with the birth of daughter Denise a few years later.

While juggling work and the children’s busy schedules, Ron made time to study for and pass the exam to receive his Certificate of Professional Engineering. His career started at Besly Welles Corporation in South Beloit, IL and continued at Welles Products. The family moved from Beloit to South Beloit in 1968 and Ron finished out his working life as the Vice President of Engineering at Aqua Aerobics in Rockford. Ron’s professionalism and good judgement made him well respected throughout the world of water-pollution-control equipment.

Eventually, Ron and Yvonne moved to Lake Summerset in northern Illinois, where they had access to the lake and unlimited fishing during retirement. They spent winters in Arizona for many years, sharing happy hours and golf games with life-long friends.

Travel was a priority and the family shared many road-trip adventures to national parks and theme parks. After the kids were grown, Ron and Yvonne traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and more. Ron was a prolific woodworker, crafting beautiful family keepsakes such as cradles, high chairs, child-size cabinets, and quilt racks.

Family came first, and it grew over the years with the addition of five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He loved the Badgers and the Brewers, but most of all, he loved his Green Bay Packers, and became a season ticket holder in 1992. Years later, the tickets were passed on to his son and four generations of family members have cheered for their team from those same seats.

Ron was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Yvonne, along with numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his son, Chris (Deb) Weis, Stoughton, WI; daughter, Denise Luikaart, Machesney Park, IL; grandchildren: Dustin (Cecilia) Weis, Brookfield, WI; Katie (Tim) Hoesly, Brookfield, WI; Taylor Weis, Milwaukee, WI; Eric Luikaart, South Beloit, IL; and Emilee Luikaart (Brody Beyer), Rockton, IL; and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by special friend, Beth Newton; and siblings: Richard (Lynn) Weis, Carol Lawrence, Nancy Buckley, and Debbie (Tory) Nordmark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Monroe Hospice Home, N3252 County Road N., Monroe, WI 53566.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2026 in St. Mary Catholic Church, 606 W. Main St., Durand, IL. A visitation will be held in McCorkle Funeral Home, 101 W. Main St., Durand, IL from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Monday prior to Mass. Interment will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.