Ronald Hudak

Ron "Ronald" Andrew Hudak, age 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at his home in Backus, Minnesota. 
 
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Yvonne (Erickson) Hudak, for 66 years; a loving father to his four children: Nadine Slis (John), Janeen Griepp (Steven), Steven Hudak (Sue), and Sherri Mattson (Steve); a wonderful grandpa to his eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Nicole, Andrew, Elysia, Meghan, Siera, Aaron, Kelsi, Samuel, Liam, and Celia; and a caring brother to Randy (Dolly) Hudak.
 
He is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Stella (Lach) Hudak and brother Richard (Ilene) Hudak. 
Ron found his passion in elevator manufacturing straight out of attending trade school and began as a draftsman at Hauenstein and Burmeister in 1956. During his twenty plus years at H&B he was promoted several times, and eventually left the company in 1978 to embark on his own journey as an entrepreneur with his friend and co-worker Gary Mundis.

In 1978, Ron and Gary started their own successful elevator manufacturing company, G&R Custom Elevator Manufacturing, Inc., in his barn where the elevators shared the center stage with chickens and cows. They saw an opportunity in the market and seized it. The company’s success was due to Ron and Gary’s passion, dedication, knowledge, fair business practices and prioritizing the needs of their employees. Ron was well respected and liked within his company and throughout the industry.

Ron loved his family, hunting, golfing, fishing, snowmobiling, traveling the world and in his later years, bingo, Yahtzee, puzzles, cards, Wheel of Fortune and the casino. If you heard the phrase ‘my gosh’ you knew he was nearby. Golf and bowling were his sports of choice. He excelled at both and enjoyed the time with his friends and family. His passions were always fueled by the aspect of socializing with others. He never met a stranger and knew all of his neighbors wherever he lived.
 
Ron was an avid year-round hunter and loved fishing. He taught all of his children and grandchildren how to fish from an early age and even had his wife proficient on the old cane pole early in their marriage. Leeches and worms were no strangers to his grandchildren, even the girliest of them. It has been rumored that his first grandbaby was allowed to play with leeches on the cabin dining room table as a toddler. Ron took his love of fishing far and wide, enjoying many trips to Canada with friends and family. Not even the frozen lakes of Minnesota or the ‘no see um’ bugs  in Canada could keep him off the water.
 
During Ron’s retirement, he was able to move full time to his lake home in Backus, MN with his wife, Yvonne. Their lake home was lovingly referred to as ‘the cabin’ because at one time that is exactly what it was - a two-bedroom, one bath, deer shack  with a full septic tank and a dreaded outhouse. The entire family has extremely fond memories of the original cabin but not so much the outhouse.  It was a place to spend time with one another swimming, fishing, boating, skiing, tubing, playing croquet and badminton, and creating lasting memories with Ron and Yvonne at the center of it all.

Ron was a man of God with a generous heart and a humble spirit. His faith was lived and demonstrated in his treatment of family and friends. He was always just a phone call away and quick to help others. He gave to countless charities and ‘secretly’ met the financial needs of family, friends, and those dealing with hardships. Those that knew him, loved him. 
 
Please join us in remembering the wonderful life of Ronald Hudak.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 2, at Nowthen Alliance Church, 19653 Nowthen Blvd NW, Nowthen, MN 55303, with luncheon immediately following the service.