White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Ronald Edwin Ciesielski, 90 years old, of rural Independence, IA, died Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Rehab Centers of Independence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. – Saturday, November 23, 2024, at St. John Catholic Church, Independence, IA, with Very Rev. David M. Beckman, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Bechter-Boies VFW Post 2440 and Sheehan-Tidball American Legion Post 30, assisted by the United States Army.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 22, 2024, at White Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be a parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Saturday, at the church.

Ron was born September 26, 1934, in rural Independence, IA, the son of Paul Albert and Mary Calista (Merkel) Ciesielski. He graduated from Jesup High School with the class of 1952. He served in the United States Army during the early years of the Vietnam War. On June 11, 1960, he was united in marriage to Frances Lucille Hum at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls, IA. The couple would eventually build a home in rural Independence and raised their family close to other relatives. Ron was employed at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo, and then Norby’s Farm Fleet in Independence, where he would eventually retire.

Ron was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. If he couldn’t get the Cubs game on T.V., he would go out to the car and listen to it on the radio. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching Westerns. Ron was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Independence.

Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Frances “Fran” Ciesielski of Independence; eight children, Ronda (Mitch) Sherbon of Spencer, IA, Paula Bird (John Powers) of Jesup, IA, Kevin (Lisa) Ciesielski of Robins, IA, Keith (Lisa) Ciesielski of Independence, Lisa (Pat) Purdy of La Porte City, IA, Ken (Lisa) Ciesielski of Hull, IA, Kurt (Lisa) Ciesielski of Altoona, IA, Kyle (Leanne) Ciesielski of Inwood, IA; 22 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Judy Ciesielski of Waterloo, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Carl Ciesielski; one daughter, Brenda Ciesielski; one grandson, Nick Bird; and his brothers and sister, Eugene Ciesielski, James Ciesielski, Paul “Buddy” Ciesielski, and Paula Ciesielski.

Memorials may be directed to the church.

Condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA is in charge of arrangements.