Ronald William Gresens

Ronald William Gresens was born on November 16, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, the first son of William (Bill) and Frida (Hetzel) Gresens. He passed away peacefully on the morning of December 10, 2025, at the age of 92, with the comfort of family by his side and a blanket of heavenly white snow outside.

Ronald graduated from Cooley High School in 1952, where he took drafting courses and earned a varsity letter in football. An instructor took notice of him and referred him to an engineering company looking for help. Ronald explored this opportunity and worked for one year on a drafting board at Vickers, where he drew sketches of parts used by engineers. This detailed work would be good experience as he was next to register for the Korean War draft. But rather than waiting for his number to be called, Ronald enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served on active duty from April 1953 until April 1955. A true sign of the strength & determination that would carry him throughout much of his life was on full display during boot camp in Fort Riley, Kansas. After just one month, he contracted spinal meningitis. Despite feeling unwell, he continued until the very last field exercise when his illness became evident. Ronald was treated at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Riley from May to August. He spoke about this experience and reflected on awakening and thinking he must have been in heaven because “there was a beautiful angel there.” It was the doctor who was his angel and who was awarded a medal for recognizing Ronald’s illness, which saved his life and others after a quarantine was ordered. Ronald returned home for a short time before going back to Fort Riley to complete boot camp again, before his duty took him to Japan for engineer school at an Army camp to learn about tools, parts, and inventory, and then to Korea, where he worked every day meeting boats and completing meticulous office work.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Ronald enrolled at Michigan State University, his beloved alma mater that he later shared with three of his children and six of his grandchildren (all Spartans). He graduated (1958) after only three years with a BA in Business Administration and a major in Accounting with high honors (BETA ALPHA PSI - Accounting Honorary). He began his profession at Price Waterhouse as an Audit Manager and earned his C.P.A. Certificate while employed there. In 1968 Ronald took his talents to Detroit Edison (DTE Energy) where his career was as electric as the power the company generated. There he served as Assistant General Auditor, Assistant General Accountant, Assistant Controller, Controller, and, finally, Vice President and Controller, the position he held for ten years until his retirement in 1997.

Ronald met his dearly loved wife Cynthia one evening in 1962 after Covenant Lutheran Church choir practice. He stopped at the Esquire Bar on Greenfield Road in Detroit, where he knew the owner, and where Cynthia happened to be with her friends after attending a singles group event at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Their connection was not immediate but grew quietly over time. They were later married in a beautiful early-evening candlelight ceremony at Covenant Lutheran Church on an unseasonably hot June day. They worked hard professionally and personally while welcoming and raising their four children, who all have especially fond memories of the family’s annual Disney World vacations with stays at the Contemporary Resort. After their kids were grown, Ronald and Cynthia enjoyed traveling together to Alaska, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle, Siesta Key, and Germany with the MSU Alumni Association, to name a few. They shared a strong sense of patriotism and political views. And together they loved and cared for their very special grandchildren, whom they cherished. Ronald and Cynthia shared and celebrated 62 years of marriage before Ronald’s passing, a truly amazing accomplishment and testament to strength, love, and commitment.

Ronald is lovingly remembered and forever in the hearts of his family: wife Cynthia (Pribbanow); four children, Robert (Jamie), Sandra (Bruce) Lys, Michael (Marcia), Ronald (Karen); seven grandchildren, Mitchell, Nathan, Evan, Nolan, Gunnar, Sabrina, and Alyssa; brother Erwin (Joann); and sister-in-law Wendy Pribbanow. He is predeceased by his loving parents, sister Irene, and nephew Keith.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Angela Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and comfort provided to Ronald.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to Angela Hospice.

A memorial service with full military honors and rifle volley is planned for 1:30 pm on Sunday, December 21, at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 37000 W. Six Mile Rd., in Livonia. Family and friends are welcome for visitation from 12:30-1:30 pm, followed immediately by the services.