Ronald "Ron" Raymond Filley

Ronald “Ron” Raymond Filley, age 89, of Waltham, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home. Ronald was born in Austin, Minnesota, to Raymond “Bob” and Mabel (DeRaad) Filley on February 4, 1934. His family moved to a farm 2 miles West of Waltham, Minnesota and later purchased a farm Northeast of Blooming Prairie where Ron grew up and attended country school for 8 years. He graduated in 1953 from Blooming Prairie High School. On April 13, 1955, Ron enlisted into the United States Army and spent 17½ months in the 13th Helicopter Company near Seoul, Korea. Upon returning home, Ron received his honorable discharge papers on his birthday in 1957.  On November 17, 1957, Ron and the lovely Arlys Schmeling, who had been patiently waiting for him, were united in a double wedding with her twin sister, Arlene, and fiancé Robert Draeger.  Ron and Arlys spent two months visiting Ron’s sister and husband, Lorraine and Dick Kruckeberg, at the Dan Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Ron started farming in 1958 and then purchased his farm just West of Waltham in 1967.  He also worked for the Chicago Great Western Railroad in Hayfield, Minnesota, and General Equipment in Owatonna, Minnesota.  The job Ron enjoyed most was driving the motor coach bus for his sister, LaVon, for nine years.  Together the couple raised four wonderful children. Ronald was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed going on many hunting trips over the years, particularly pheasant and deer hunting excursions that he cherished and shared with his father. He also loved softball games, bowling, and working on farm machinery. Ronald belonged to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Waltham and was a past member of the First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Arlys Filley of Waltham, MN; children, Tamra (Kevin) Peterson of Kasson, MN, Denise (Gary) Benson of Clarks Grove, MN, Curtis (Heidi) Filley of Ellendale, MN, and Karen (John) Jongbloedt of New Richland, MN; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Carolyn McDonald and Arlene Dreager; and brother-in-law, Lynn (Brenda) Schmeling. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mabel Filley; and sisters, Lorraine (Dick) Kruckeberg and LaVon (Jesse) Hernandez.