Ronald J. NelsonMaple PlainJuly 7, 1951 - March 21, 2017Nelson, Ronald J. age 65 of Maple Plain, MN, passed away March 21, 2017.  Ron was born on July 7, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN, the third of 3 children of Dorothy (Draheim) and Howard Nelson. Ron was a graduate of Washburn High School and later St. Cloud State University. Married to Antoinette "Toni" Laudenbach on May 8, 1976, he was a family man through and through.He was an enthusiastic elementary teacher at Orono School District for 35 years and still actively subbed in his retirement. He loved to sing, golf, travel, and go camping. A member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, he began singing with the Minneapolis Commodores and was a long-time member of the Great Northern Union Chorus. He also sang in various quartets and was a song leader in church throughout the years. Ron was a dedicated family man who loved to spend lots of time with all of his family but especially his grandkids.He had a great sense of humor and never missed the opportunity for a good pun.He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Antoinette "Toni" (Laudenbach) Nelson; daughter Katie (Jerad) Nestrud of Woodbury, daughter Julie (Jeff) Bormann of St. Cloud, and son Charles (Stephanie) Nelson of Plymouth; grandchildren, Brandon, Oliver, and Eliza Nestrud and Margaret and Lillian Nelson; sisters Janet Patton and Sandy (Dennis) Erickson; brother- and sister-in-laws, Hattie Laudenbach, Theresa Schmidt, Margaret (Pete) Fleck, August Laudenbach, Shirley Hohnstadt, Lucy Laudenbach, Andy Bechtold, Ernie (Arlene) Laudenbach, Lenny (Marge) Laudenbach, Rosie (Dick) Taufen, Rich Witte, Mike (Irene) Laudenbach, Dan (Sue) Laudenbach; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother- and sister-in-laws, Jerry Laudenbach, June (Gilbert) Schmidt, Bill Laudenbach, Bernie Laudenbach, Bernadette Bechtold, Ceil Witte, Irene Laudenbach, and Ron Patton.Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Saturday March 25th. Visitation Friday 4-8 pm and 1 hour prior to service, all at The Catholic Church of St. George, 133 N. Brown Rd. Long Lake. Private family interment.Rettinger Funeral Home952-473-6954