Ronald Raymond Krengel

Ronald Raymond Krengel, child of God, was called Home on Saturday, May 18, 2024. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in Austin, Texas and was 88 years of age. Ronald Krengel was married to Elsa Krengel (Klatt) for 59 years. Together, they raised three children, Pamela Krengel; Douglas Krengel (wife Amy Krengel (Schelling); and Russel Krengel (wife Jenny Krengel (Dedrick)). He found joy in his grandchildren, Jacob Krengel (wife, Patricia); Rhea Folk (Krengel) (husband Harrison Folk); and Lilian Krengel; and great grandchildren, Isaiah Krengel, Eliana Krengel and Maeve Folk. He is also survived by his sister Edith Weisner (husband Bud Weisner), brother-in-law Robert Fredland (husband to sister, Audrey Krengel) and sister-in-law, Lois Klatt.

Ron believed deeply in Jesus Christ, Our Savior. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. His life centered on faith, family and a career in the newspaper business. In this foundation, he found great meaning and joy. Ron grew up in Forest Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was introduced to Elsa by Elsa’s brother Paul Klatt and was immediately smitten. Ron and Elsa began their life and family together in the Chicago area and later moved to Houston, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Hendersonville, Tennessee and Lakeway, Texas. Ron was a husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, leader, friend and patriot (serving honorably in the Air Force).

Ron’s career focused on the production side of the newspaper business. He witnessed and led the transformation of the news business from a very mechanical production process to a highly automated, robot-assisted process. Ron worked for R.R. Donnelley and Sons, The Houston Post, The Arkansas Gazette and the Tennessean. He was recognized for his excellence in newspaper production numerous times by the Gannett Corporation, a news organization. A favorite pastime was playing the card game pinochle, a game that he learned in his childhood home and integrated within his own family. He was keen to train any willing participant in this game. There was the occasional photo of a strong meld hand. He also loved to go to the movies and felt that popcorn at the movies was mandatory. He also lost many nights' sleep staying up to read a Clive Cussler adventure novel.

As a father, he was always calm and collected. He served as a Little League baseball coach, dressed as Uncle Sam in the neighborhood 4th of July parade, cooked hundreds of holiday hotdogs for kids/families at the neighborhood swimming pool and led by example – helping to build and support the churches where he was a member. He relished relaying stories of his childhood foibles, giving us laughter and lessons at the same time. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, we learn that “love is patient and love is kind.” This perfectly exemplifies Ron Krengel.

The celebration of Ron’s life will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 11:15 AM CST at Acts Church Lakeway in Lakeway, Texas. He will be interred at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM CST.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Ron’s dedication to his faith, please send memorial donations to any of the following churches. ACTS Church - Lakeway, Texas; Ascension Lutheran Church – Nashville, Tennessee; Christ Lutheran Church – Little Rock, Arkansas; Pilgrim Lutheran Church – Houston, Texas and/or St John Evangelical Lutheran Church – Forest Park, Illinois.