Ronald Blood

Ronald "Ron" Blood of Antigo, age 85, died March 8, 2022, at his home due to cancer. He was the son of the late Raymond and Arlene (Wienandt) Blood. Ron graduated from Birnamwood High School in 1954 where he participated in sports and drama. In 1956, he graduated from the Langlade County Teachers' College where he met his future wife, Nancy Kretz. They were married on November 3, 1962, at St. John Catholic Church. Mr. Blood received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from UW Stevens Point. He taught at Wabeno, Mattoon, and Rothschild and then continued his teaching career of 37 years in the Unified School District of Antigo. He was nominated three times for "Who's Who Among American Teachers". In 1993, he received the Central Wisconsin Uniserve Council's Distinguished Service Award. He served two terms as President of the Antigo Education Association and was on the Negotiating Team for nineteen years. In his younger years, Ron coached Antigo Little League and Junior League Baseball, St. John's basketball, and sports in the elementary schools where he taught. For seventeen years, he officiated high school basketball and for thirty-one years he was a ...[more]

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tball official. He officiated two WIAA state championship games in Madison and a WISSA championship game in Stevens Point. He received the Central Wisconsin Officials' Association Distinguished Award in 1994. During his lifetime, he drove semi and was the owner of a hobby farm and clothing store. For seven years he served as a volunteer firefighter for Rural Fire Control and was on the Board of Directors for twenty- six years. He was an avid bowler and also enjoyed tilling the soil, dancing, fishing trips to Canada, hunting, camping, singing with the Antigo Barbershop chorus, hosting foreign teachers and students in his home, attending class reunions, acrylic and oil painting, Friday night fish fries with family and friends, Antigo High School Musicals, and spending time with his grandson, Jacob. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of 59 years; sons, Patrick and Michael; daughter, Mary (Roger) Meister; grandson, Jacob Meister; brother, Gary (Dee) Blood; and sister, Darlene Blood. In-laws include Linda and Lawrence Worman, Ruth and Ken Karn, David and Laurie Kretz, Dale and Pam Kretz, Drs. Mike and Diane Kretz, and Mary and Ron Schreier. Preceding him in death were his parents; father and mother-in-law, Charles and Leona Kretz; and a special brother-in-law, Charlie Kretz. No funeral or memorial service will be held. His entombment will be in the mausoleum at the Queen of Peace Cemetery in Antigo. A sincere thank you to those who gave excellent, compassionate care to Ron at the Volm Cancer Center, Hospice, and the Aspirus Clinic and Hospital.