Ronald Vagle

Ronald Vagle, age 63 of Redwood Falls, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 25, 2024 surrounded by his family at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital from complications due to a short illness. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Redwood Valley Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Ron’s family would like to invite the public to send him off in true biker fashion. If you own a motorcycle, please join the family at 3 p.m. in the church parking lot to rev your engines in honor of Ron’s last ride to the sky. Stephens Funeral Service -Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Ronald Lee Vagle was born into this life on December 15,1960 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Betty (Grantz) and Harold Vagle. He was raised on the prairies of southern Minnesota, playing by the creek and walking uphill both ways to school. And the only toy he ever had to play with was a tumbleweed — as he would always tell his daughters. The youngest of six siblings, Ronnie was the “big” little brother. They were all perplexed when he got away with everything they would get chewed out for, but they loved him anyway. A lifelong member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Ronnie was baptized February 5, 1961 and confirmed his faith on May 9, 1976. He got his education in Redwood Falls, and graduated in 1979. Ron fell in love with Kimberly Kuehn, and the two were married on June 10, 1979. Kim and Ron had three beautiful daughters. He worked at Schult Homes, was manager of the American Legion, and eventually became part-owner of Chumly’s Burger and Brew, where he became a staple in the Redwood area community until 2021. The closing of the business was a representation of his love and dedication to his family. He ended his working career driving the Handi-Van for Dan and Betty Bennett. He loved working and helping the people that he served; taking them to their medical appointments and offering conversation and comfort when needed. Ron was a big teddy bear; you could always count on him to plow the snow in your driveway or even just give you a big smile. Ron loved hunting with his grandsons, Brady and Andrew Haas (special friend Addy Calhoun) and spending time with his three crazy girls, Jessica Haas (special friend Jake Weise) of Mapleton, Jaclyn Vagle (special friend Lee Vela) of Owatonna and Jenna Vagle (and her kitty, Ron’s only granddaughter, Peel) of Minneapolis. An animal lover, Ron enjoyed hanging out in his man-garage with his springer spaniel Odie, and fighting with the cat, Henry. He said he only “liked” Henry, but we all know he loved him dearly. Waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge were his late dogs, JJ, Jenny, Sydney, Taz and Tiger. After raising kids for 32 years, Ron and Kim were ready to hit the road to be the crazy kids they never got to be. Ron bought a cheap motorcycle to test the waters, and for Christmas that year they treated themselves to a Kawasaki, eventually upgrading to a Harley with all the bells and whistles. The two went on adventures, traveling to Sturgis, Yellowstone, the Ozarks, Escanaba, Michigan, and cruising the county roads of Southern Minnesota, Wisconsin and the northern shore. It was their favorite thing to do together.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, daughters, grandsons, brother: Doug Vagle, sisters: Rene Kaluza, Joleene (Craig) Kotval, LeAnn (Gene) Swatzsky, brother-in-law Bob Williams, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Harold Vagle, sister, Barbra Williams, brother-in-law, Steve Kaluza, sister-in-law, Elaine Vagle, father-in-law Eldon Kuehn and life-long friends Mike Rindfleisch and Donny Loftus.  

“Rule number one, Ron’s always right. Rule number two, refer to rule number one.”