Visitation will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 West First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, on August 28, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Memorial Service at the same location from 11:00 am to 11:45 am.
A Committal Service with Military Rites will take place at Altoona Cemetery, 7996 NE 50th Ave, Altoona, IA 50009, on August 28, 2026, from 12:15 pm to 12:30 pm, with a Time of Food and Fellowship to follow at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th St SW, Altoona, IA 50009, from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.
Ronald was born on April 26, 1947, in Albia, Iowa, to Mack Willis and Iona Elaine (Derner) Carter. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1966. Following High School, he attended Ellsworth Community College on a football scholarship. He then enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served honorably from 1968 To 1970. After his military service he earned his associate’s degree from DMACC in Ankeny. Following that he began his 32-year career at John Deere in Ankeny until his retirement on April 1, 2006.
Ron was united in marriage to Marcia Mauldin on March 21, 1970, in Clinton, Iowa. There were two children to this union, Jefferson and Bradley Carter. The couple later divorced. He then met Kathy Flynn, and they married on June 16, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They blended their families and Ron added three sons, Matthew, Brian and Jason Flynn. Kathy passed away on April 1, 2004. Ron was then united in marriage to Marilyn Mistretta on March 8, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ron then blended families again and added Timothy and David Thalacker.
Ron enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeyes football games, spending time traveling the nation and working in his yard to make it look exceptional. Ron loved spending time with his family and making memories with them over the years. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and being present for their activities. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, Iowa.
Ron is preceded in death by his second wife, Kathy Flynn-Carter; his parents, Mack and Iona Carter; brother, Dennis Carter, and stepson, Timothy Thalacker.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Carter; his children, Jefferson (Amanda) Carter, Bradley (Anisha) Carter; his stepsons, Matthew (Sara) Flynn, Brian (Cara) Flynn, Jason (Sarah) Flynn and David (Beth) Thalacker; and his grandchildren, Jackson, Rylan, and Finley Carter, and Samatha Therme, and AJ, Kaden, Vincent, Lauren, Sebastian and Connor Flynn, and Jack (Merritt), Luke (Sydney), Hank, and Kate Thalacker.
Memorials may be directed to CurePSP at psp.org in Ron’s memory.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Carter and Flynn families.
