Ronald J. Laudner Jr.

Although he was a leader in the telecom industry for 40 years, that is not how he wants to be remembered.

Born December 22, 1957, it’s no wonder this Christmas baby grew up to be a professional Santa, even going to Santa School. Every holiday season, he would anonymously deliver hats, coats, and mittens to a Mason City day care. He thought every little girl needed a pretty pink coat for Christmas. After his liver transplant in 2023, he continued to send letters from Santa to the Mayo Clinic for them to give to the children. The staff would tell the little ones, “Santa had been in this hospital just like you.” He made sure his liver donor’s family knew their loved one saved Santa.

His Halloween decorations were the talk of Nora Springs, making his home on the highway a destination. He loved to put on the scariest makeup he could find, jump out of the garage, and roar, “Get away from my house.” He knew he’d done a good job when a little kid would say, “You’re not going to scare me this year.”

His artistic talents delighted others with his penchant for snowpeople, Santas, 3D chalk, realistic cake decorating, and watercolors.

He had a booming basso profundo voice and liked to say, “I cut a wide swath.” He was generous to a fault, a consummate party giver, devotee of The Food Network, but not a good cook.

He died from what he called the leading cause of death, “surrounded by friends and family.” He would joke, “If I get sick, do not let in friends and family because that’s when people always die.” He must have been onto something, as in his final hours, he was surrounded by the best friends and family a man could have.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, sons Zach (Kori) and Alex, stepdaughter Natalie, his mother Mary Ellen, sisters Angie (Brian) Sanders, Kathy Roberts, and brother Chuck (Stephanie). His father, Ronald Sr., passed away before him. Ron loved being a grandpa to his four grandchildren, who never knew the Santa who visited them each year was actually their Grandpa.

There will be no public service. His ashes will be made into fireworks and celebrated by close friends and family.