Ronald Duane ‘Dook’ Sterud

Ronald Duane ‘Dook’ Sterud, age 84 of Prescott, Wisconsin, died April 11, 2025 at his home with his beloved family at his side following a brief illness. Ron was born on July 7, 1940 in Brookings, South Dakota; the son of Marvin and Ella (Gunderson) Sterud. He attended Redfield Elementary School in South Dakota prior to his family moving to Prescott where he graduated from High School in the class of 1958. His eyes would catch a young lady who graduated a couple years behind him. The two soon became inseparable and would fall in love. On December 16, 1961, Ron was united in marriage to Anita Schaffer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prescott. This union would blossom with the births of two children; Michael and Heidi.

Initially, Ron worked for the 3M Manufacturing Plant in research as a lab tech. After a short time, he joined the ranks of his father who owned Prescott Lumber. He worked with his dad as they partnered and would open up another location in Newport. Ron would eventually purchase the lumber yard from his dad. Ron worked directly with the customer in sales while Anita worked in clerical and accounting. After owning from 1965 to 1988, he closed down the plant and began working for UBC Lumber in Hastings. He continued working as a salesman for twenty-two years until his full retirement in 2006.

If Ron wasn’t at work or at home, there was a good chance he was trolling for the elusive walleye on the St. Croix or Mississippi Rivers. Ron, otherwise known as ‘Dook’, was a gifted athlete. He excelled at baseball in school and continued after for the Prescott Town Team. As he grew a little older, he thoroughly enjoyed playing softball with his buddies. As time went on, he developed a passion for golf. He always looked forward to his weekly outings at Clifton Hollow with his long-time friends. Sundays were often spent watching the Packers or Vikings. Ron enjoyed his time for coffee at Ptaceks with the table of knowledge as the regular crew discussed everything under the sun. Ron proudly served as a firefighter for the Prescott Fire Department, an active member of the Prescott Jaycees, and was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he could be seen ushering most Saturdays. He was Anita’s ‘right arm’ decorating the church and whatever else needed to be tended to. Ron also volunteered for Pierce County Department of Aging as he gave rides to doctor appointments for those who needed assistance. For sixty-three years, he and Anita have been side by side experiencing everything life has to offer. In fact, for the past thirty-five years, the two of them have played Gin every evening while sipping their ‘totties’.

Ron will forever be remembered by his wife of sixty-three years Anita; children Michael (Jami) Sterud of Prescott, Heidi (Scott) Irwin of Chippewa Falls; his beloved grandchildren Adam (Sam) Winegarden, Hannah (Dalton) Metzler, Dylan Sterud, Mackenzie Sterud, Taylor Sterud; step grandchildren Jake Irwin (Jazmin), Justin Irwin (Paige), and Maddie Caneff (Devon); siblings Marlen (Doris) Sterud, Donna Badger, David Sterud; brothers/sisters-in-law Ralph Schaffer, Sue Moen, Bob (Kathy) Fasbender, Bill (Lori) Fasbender, Joan (Terry) Schommer, Marcia (Steve) Nelson, Lora (Tom) Arndt; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He joins his parents, brother Gary Allen Sterud, brothers-in-law Dan Badger, John Moen; sisters-in-law Karen Sterud and Lynda Hudak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am, on Friday, April 25th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prescott. Visitation will take place at the church two hours prior, beginning at 9:00am. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family.

Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Prescott, WI. For further details, please see www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call us at 715-262-5404.