Ronald “Ron” L. Newman, age 81, of Anthon, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Anthon, Iowa. Rev. Marty Davis will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery-Midway, rural Battle Creek, Iowa.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Anthon, Iowa.
The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
Ronald “Ron” Leonard Newman, son of Leonard F. and Pauline J. (Sharkey) Newman, was born on September 25, 1944, at home on the family farm near Ida Grove, Iowa. When Ron was still young, the Newman’s moved to the Anthon and Correctionville area, where he grew up, made lifelong friends, and graduated with the Anthon-Oto High School Class of 1962.
After school, Ron spent time working for a local mink rancher before answering the call to serve in the Army National Guard. Over the years he wore many hats: welder, truck driver, school bus driver, custodian; but the one that fit him best was farmer. Working the land was the place where Ron felt most alive.
On June 15, 1968, Ron married the love of his life, Karen L. Fitch, in Battle Creek, Iowa. Together they built a life full of laughter, partnership, and deep devotion. They first made their home in Correctionville from 1968 to 1978 before settling on a farm near Anthon, where they finally had the chance to farm side by side. They were blessed with three daughters Laura, Lanna, and Linda. In 1988, the couple relocated to their forever home in the town of Anthon.
In his spare time, Ron delighted in the simple joys: playing cards with friends, casting a line into the water on a peaceful day, or enjoying spirited debates with his grandsons on the eternal Chevy vs. Ford rivalry. He loved family vacations, gathering with friends, and every moment spent with his grandchildren. But no place brought him more contentment than the farm.
Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Karen Newman of Anthon, Iowa; daughters Laura (Brandon) Grashoff of Sioux Falls, SD, Lanna (Brandon) Rife of Cherokee, IA, and Linda (Bill) Kovarna of Mapleton, IA; grandchildren Alex, Adam, Tyler, Trista, Ava, Jada, and Micah; brothers-in-law Craig (Janet) Fitch of Battle Creek, IA, Sid (Amy) Fitch of Florence, AZ, and Jeff Grodahl of Lytton, IA; sister-in-law Lola Fitch of Le Mars, IA; and nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Pauline Newman; his sister Lois (Wayne) Roggatz; in-laws Warren and Dorothy Fitch; brother-in-law Keith Fitch; and sister-in-law Carol Grodahl.
Previous Events
Visitation
25
Nov
106 E. Arnold Street
Anthon, IA 51004
Funeral Service
26
Nov
106 E. Arnold Street
Anthon, IA 51004
Graveside
26
Nov
2326 Story Avenue
Battle Creek, IA 51006
