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Ronald C. Overlander

Lead Summary

Ronald C. Overlander
August 21, 1928 - February 11, 2016
Funeral Notice
 
 
Benson, MN- Ronald C. Overlander, age 87, died on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Golden Living Care Center in Benson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 15th, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson with visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday at the church. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.
 
Ronald Cecil Overlander was born in rural Clara City on August 21, 1928, the son of William and Helen (Brower) Overlander. He was the middle of five children. Due to family farming obligations, which took up most of his time as a boy, he was unable to finish high school. As a young man, he applied for a job at the Willmar State Hospital, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Benthagen. They were soon married. Two years later, he contracted Tuberculosis and spent one year in the hospital. While there, he completed his GED and went on to attend Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, graduated, and found a job as a disc jockey for KLOH in Pipestone, Minnesota. Soon, he was promoted to station manager. He and his growing family lived there for 7 years until he accepted a job as a station manager for KBMO in Benson, where he worked for 25 years until his retirement.  He and Liz raised their five children in Benson where he lived for over 50 years. Ron was active in the community and a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, which included serving as a lay reader and a deacon. His favorite place to be was at their lake home on Lake Minnewaska. They spent many summers there, always entertaining family and friends. He was an avid collector of many things throughout the years and also piloted small planes. Ron crafted and sold barn wood framed art around the area as a pastime after he retired. He was one of the original investors who made Q-92 radio in Madison, Minnesota possible. He was a member of the Benson Kiwanis and Benson Jaycees and he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
 
Ronald was called from this life on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Benson. He attained the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 21 days. Ron is survived by his wife, Liz of Benson; his five children: Cheryl (LeRoy) Brazil of Eugene Oregon, Terry (Becky) Overlander of Dawson, Pamela Dieter of Eugene, Oregon, Joel (Carla) Overlander of Circle Pines, and Lori (Terry) Boyd of Oregon City, Oregon; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ann Strootman and Janita Olson.
 
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and William; two brothers, Geoffrey and Harlan; and a granddaughter, Mackenzie Overlander. Blessed be his memory.
 
Please sign the guest book at www.zniewskifuneralhome.com .
 

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