Ronald E Matson

Ronald Eugene Matson peacefully passed away surrounded by family on September 29, 2023. Celebration of Life service will be planned and announced at a later date. Ron will live in our hearts forever and be missed by family and friends.

Ron was born in Charles City, Iowa on December 7, 1930, to Louie and Fern Matson. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1948; attained the highest rank in scouting and was certified as an Eagle Boy Scout. Ron also had a childhood cocker spaniel, named Brownie, which he much loved.

Ron served in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1952 during the Korean War where he served as a Chaplain Assistant. Two years were spent in Anchorage, Alaska at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He spent time at a number of Air Force bases where he handled classified information. Ron was invited and participated in the Iowa Honor Flight on September 30, 2014, as a Korean War Veteran. It included a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and museums.

Ron attended the American Institute of Business/AIB and received a degree in Accounting and went on to take courses in business and marketing at Drake University. He met his beloved wife Dolores (Dixie) Dixon while attending AIB. Ron and Dixie married on November 25, 1953, in Eldora, Iowa. They had two daughters Teresa and Lori.

Ron was employed by the Des Moines Register and Tribune for 30 years and retired as the National Advertising Manager. He started working in Classified car sales advertising and was promoted throughout the years to manage food, liquor, entertainment, and tobacco advertising and traveled extensively calling on national accounts.

Ron has been a member of the First United Methodist Church for 60 years and served on the Boards of many of the church committees. These included Finance, Marketing, Endowment, and the Children’s Center.

Ron met his companion Helen Williams in 2006 and have been together since that time. They loved to travel and went on many trips together throughout the years.

Ron moved to Scottish Rite Park in 2013 and enjoyed many friends and activities. He was an avid golfer, reader, traveler, and bowler. He was a passionate sports fan and his favorite teams are the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Teresa Matson of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Lori Cekoric, (John Willingham) of Portland, Oregon; son-in-law, Brian Cekoric (Ann Fry) of Portland, Oregon; grandchild, Nathan Cekoric of Portland, Oregon; companion, Helen Williams of Des Moines, Iowa; in-laws, Richard and Mary Lou Lawler of Eldora, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Tami Dorr, Dawn Harringa Breza, Brian (Jan) Lawler, Linda (Craig) Doering, Clark (Beth) Lawler, Julia Lawler (Scott Johnson), and Christine Lawler. He was preceded in death by wife, Dolores (Dixie) Matson; parents Louie and Fern Matson; sister Shari Kinseth.

Many and special thanks to the Williams family, and all of the staff at Scottish Rite Park and Suncrest Hospice for their caring concern and support.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First United Methodist Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Matson family.