Ronald Zelinsky

A Funeral Service for Ronald Zelinsky, age 83, of Terril will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 10:30am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril. Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Terril.

Ronald Dean Zelinsky, the son of Wilbur and Ruth (Ferguson) Zelinsky, was born on December 16, 1941, and passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 83. Ron spent his final two years residing at Bethany Life in Story City, IA.

Ron grew up in Terril, Iowa, where he attended Terril Community School and earned his high school diploma. A hardworking and entrepreneurial spirit, Ron was the owner of Zelinsky Trucking & Shelling and Terril Plastic Molders. He also served his country as a member of the Iowa National Guard for six years.

Ron was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril, where he also served as an elder. He was a proud member of the Terril American Legion and valued the fellowship and sense of service it brought.

Ron found joy in the simple pleasures of life—trucking, taking road trips, playing cards, and staying busy in the plastics plant or bus barn. He had a knack for building and fixing just about anything. His go-to snack was always popcorn or cashews with a cold coke, and he rarely passed up a good western movie. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, no matter what the activity.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Rob (Christy) Zelinsky, Suzie (Jim) Clayton, and Ryan (Jen) Zelinsky; his grandchildren: Drew (Makenzie) Johnson, Lydia (Dan) Billings, Brysen Clayton, Riggen (Bailey) Zelinsky, Rhett and Raesa Zelinsky, and Emma and Austin Zelinsky; great-grandchildren: Kyler, Knox, and Kenna Johnson, Lyncon and Ryette Billings; three siblings: Dave (Sue) Zelinsky, Sharon (Donnie) Holmberg, and Donnis Sorbo; nephews and nieces: Carissa Zelinsky, Matthew (Elise) Zelinsky, Joey (Kristie) Holmberg, Loree Brainerd, Jeff (Jackie) Holmberg, Curt (Brenda) Sorbo, Kim (Marshall) Lewis, Kelley Eisenbacher, Candace (Jeff) Southerland and many other extended family and friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ruth Zelinsky; grandson, Tallon Johnson; great-granddaughter, Blaike Billings; and brother-in-law, Jerry Sorbo.