Ronald Andrew Kokesh

Ronald Andrew Kokesh of Maple Grove, MN passed away on April 4, 2025 at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mildred Kokesh, and his daughter, Kerry Kokesh Diepholz. He was born on December 23, 1934 in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1953 where he met his high school sweetheart and wife of 70 years, Janice Elaine Kokesh (nee Parker). He attended Coe College and then enlisted in the United States Airforce to get the GI Bill. He moved with his wife Janice to Tucson, Arizona where he was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB. He and Janice then moved to New Market, England, where he was stationed at the Lakenheath Air Base, and where the couple's late daughter Kerry was born in 1957. While living in England they met many friends and traveled throughout the country. After returning to Cedar Rapids, Ronald used the knowledge of electrical engineering he received in the Air Force working at Collins Radio (now Rockwell Collins) and the Cherry-Burrell corporation. The family then moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota where Ronald worked at the Honeywell Corporation. In the mid 1960s he landed a job as Vice President of the Solid Controls division of Ault, Inc. He managed the company and also designed electronic control systems for industrial applications. He even obtained a patent for a specialized type of electronic circuit. When the company's founder Joseph Ault died in 1968, Ronald became the President, Chairman and majority shareholder of the newly publicly-traded Solid Controls, Inc., where he worked for the remainder of his career until his retirement in 2004. Ronald enjoyed spending his free time boating, hunting pheasants and fishing. He and Janice enjoyed having a cabin on Leech Lake and later Lake Alexander, and shared wonderful times with their family. Over the years they had different homes on Lake Minnetonka which was their favorite lake. He and Janice would vacation in Palm Springs, CA. Later on, the couple would spend their winters in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, AZ. Ronald is survived by his wife Janice, his daughter Kristin Kokesh Bjorklund of Plymouth (Richard), his son Kevin Ronald Kokesh of Orono (Barry), his brother Richard Lee Kokesh of Medina, his grandsons Derek Diepholz, William Diepholz (Meredith) and Andrew Bjorklund, his granddaughters Erika Wood (Zach) and Michelle Haylund (Nick), his great granddaughters Ivy Wood and Fiona Wood, and his great grandsons Brady Wood and Rowan Diepholz. A private family service is planned. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Dawn Valley Chapel 952-941-7686

Tributes

Ronald Andrew Kokesh

December 23, 1934 - April 4, 2025

Tributes

Ronald Andrew Kokesh

December 23, 1934 - April 4, 2025

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