Ronald L. LaCost

Ronald L. LaCost, 84, of 901 Woodward Ave., Kingsford, died Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain. He was born on July 24, 1934, in Iron Mountain, the son of the late Edward and Lydia (Mickelson) LaCost. His wife, Beverly (Schultz) LaCost preceded him in death in 2005. Ron and Bev were married on September 3, 1960 in Iron Mountain and had two children together, the Honorable Julie A. LaCost, of Iron Mountain, and David L. LaCost of Merrillan, WI. Ron was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Arthur and Alice (LaPointe) Schultz. Ron graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1952 and played football for the Mountaineers where his yearbook memorializes his early nickname of "Kisser" beneath his football photo. Ron's brothers-in-law, Don and Bob Schultz, who introduced their little sister Beverly to Ron, always assured the family that he did not earn this nickname by kissing all of the girls. Ron was a former Corporal in the United States Marine Corps between 1953-1955 and served his country honorably in the Korean War near Inchon . He was also stationed at Jacksonville, North Carolina and trained for amphibious landings while stationed at Camp Pendleton at San Onofre near San Diego. He served with the 1st Marine Division where he was a heavy equipment operator mostly operating bulldozers during the war. Ron's favorite memories of his time in Korea were furloughs to Toyko and Kyoto Japan where he liked to try new and different foods such as raw fish, pickled fish, and to have a taste of good old American food. Ron always had something pickled to eat in the refrigerator that were at times, scary looking. After discharge from the service, Ron sailed the Great Lakes on various ore boats for several years. Ron's love of heavy equipment repair continued when he went to work with his friend, Jim "Hutch" Harris. While Ron was working for Hutch, he was also working for his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Art and Bob Schultz who founded Schultz Equipment and Parts Co, Inc. In the 1960's. Ron was a very hard-working man and after the passing of Art Schultz in 1971, Ron and his brother-in-law, Don Schultz also became owners of the business and all three worked along side of each other for many years. Ron served as the Service Manager. In later years Ron was employed by Schneider Iron and Metal until the time of his retirement in 1999. Ron loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Growing up, he spent his summers working on his grandparent’s farm in the Garden Peninsula. Ron's grandfather, John LaCost, was the daily stage coach driver between the Garden Peninsula and Manistique from the turn of the century until about 1912. Ron was very close with his grandparents and loved working alongside of his uncles and his brother on the farm. After his retirement, Ron enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada with his good friends, Jerry Swartout and Roy LaRoque. Ron was a member of Pine Grove County Club and enjoyed golfing with the gang there for many years. Ron was also active in the local bowling league for many years. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Ron will be especially missed for his quick-wit and dry sense of humour that he enjoyed bestowing on people around him. Ron and Julie were able to attend an Honor Flight two years ago that both enjoyed immensely and made beautiful memories together. In addition to his children, Ron is survived by three grandchildren who were the apples of his eyes, Vincent Mancuso of Kingsford, Lydia LaCost and Alexis LaCost of Merrillan, WI, by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don and Char Schultz of Iron Mountain and Don and Carol Wilson of Mansfield, TX, his sister-in-law Rosemary Schultz, and many nieces and nephews. Ron is also survived by his lifelong friend, Martin Allstrom, whom he met in kindergarten and remained friends with his whole life. Marty is the godfather of Julie LaCost. Ron is further survived by many good friends who have been a constant source of enjoyment during his lifetime, especially Connie and Jerry Swartout. Ron was additionally preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Gerald Frickelton, by his brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Dorothy LaCost, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Dorothy Dorfler, his brother-in-law Bob Schultz and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain from 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am at the church with the Reverend Paul Strom presiding. A lunch will follow at the church. In lieu of memorials, donations may be made to the Almost Home Animal Shelter. Ron was a dog lover and always had a dog in his life. Animals also loved him quickly bounding in the front door to greet Grandpa and lay by his chair. He was an excellent dog sitter and helped care for his grand dogs, most recently, Cyndi Lou and Pantera who will also miss him so much. Memorials may also be made in his honor to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. The family would like to extend its deep appreciation for the staff at Freeman's Nursing Home who cared for and loved Ron for the last eight months with compassion and dignity and to the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at Dickinson County Hospital who cared for him as if he were their own during this final illness. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Ron LaCost online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Ronald L. LaCost

July 24, 1934 - July 26, 2018