Ronald Francis Dolan, 75, of West Des Moines, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Memorial Mass will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Luncheon and a time of fellowship will follow in the church hall. Inurnment will be held at 3 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Stuart.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation or Sacred Heart Church. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Ron was born on July 14, 1949, to Wilbert and Kathleen (Johnson) Dolan in Dexter as the first of seven children. He attended Catholic school in Stuart and graduated from Stuart High School in 1967. After graduation he went to work at Meredith Printing in Des Moines. He also enrolled at DMACC in Ankeny in 1970 and graduated in 1972 with a two-year degree in marketing.
Ron and Berdean “Birdie” (Groesbeck) were united in marriage April 18, 1970, and three children were born. Ronald, Renee and Matthew were welcomed into their family. In 1972, a very successful career in the food service sales industry began and continued for 37 years. He started with Harrison Foodservice, PYA Monarch, JP Foodservice, US Foodservice and the last 13 years with Sysco Iowa. His customers were his number one priority and numerous times he would refer to his adopted motto, “PROMISE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN DELIVER AND THEN DELIVER MORE THAN YOU PROMISED.”
For over 20 years, he was involved with food sales to the Iowa State fairground vendors. He was known as “Mr. Iowa State Fair” to his customers and competitors. Upon his retirement in 2008, he began a second career with West Des Moines Community School Transportation Department as a school bus driver. He established several relationships with special needs students, known to them as Mr. Ron.
Ron was known to make a wager on almost anything and enjoyed his trips to the casinos and Laughlin, Nevada.
Survivors include his children: Ronald (Karen) Dolan of Des Moines, Renee Dolan of East Lansing, Michigan, and Matthew Dolan of West Des Moines; grandchildren: Noah Dolan (fiance, Elise), Aubreeanna (Kris) Sink and Rylee Dolan; granddog, Ginger; three great-grandchildren; siblings: Steve Dolan of Menlo, Carolyn Dolan of Bolingbrook, Illinois, Dan Dolan of Ankeny and Mike (Jami) Dolan of Edmond, Oklahoma; numerous nieces and nephews; including Father Guthrie Dolan.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 52 years, Birdie; parents; mother- and father-in-law, Mervin (Buzz) and Doris Groesbeck; sisters: Phyllis Young and Mary Kay Mueller; sister-in-law, Linda Groesbeck; numerous aunts and uncles.
As we look up to the sky at the fairgrounds, he said, “I am sure the statement will be made…there is Dolan up there and he is still too damn high.”