Ronald Leonard Kuffel's Obituary
Ronald Leonard Kuffel July 25, 1941 ~ March 21, 2018
Ronald Leonard Kuffel born July 25, 1941 - March 21, 2018, passed away Tuesday morning from complications due to congestive heart and kidney failure. Ron was born in St Helens, Oregon. He was a lifelong resident of St. Helens, Oregon. Ron graduated from St. Helens High School and attended Portland State University where he studied architecture and played baseball for a time. He worked at Boise Cascade Paper Mill in St. Helens for over four decades and retired after 43 years.
Ron went to Catholic school where he served as an altar boy. He was a very creative storyteller and loved to share them. He loved to be out on the water and was a proud boat owner for over fifty years. At one time he was a great slalom skier and always knew where all the good fishing holes were on the Columbia River. Ron was a jack of many trades and if he saw it, he could recreate just about anything. He was very skilled and expected perfection from himself. Ron loved to play cards and play games. He was a member of the Elks Lodge. Ron was a great bowler; he won a trophy with his dad when he was young. Ron loved music and had a special fondness for photography as he enjoyed capturing the beauty of the scenery. Ron enjoyed helping family and friends do projects. He helped build or install sheds, decks, ramps, sprinkler systems, electrical, fencing, welding trailers, various wood working items, and made homemade fishing lures. His biggest pride and joy was his family. He was proud of his kids and especially all of his grandsons.
He left a legacy of talent, love of learning, hard work, persistence, determination, priority of family, generosity, and doing things your best.
Ron is survived by wife Myra Kuffel, daughter Shari Dummer, and husband Dwight, son Doug Kuffel and wife Kennan, grandsons, Nick Dummer (and fiancee Keeghan Holman), Brett, Dummer, Peyton Kuffel, Spencer Kuffel, sister Kathy Jacobs, brother-in-law Ray Jacobs, sister-in-law Deloros Kaauwai, nieces Loke Kaauwai, Julie Chin and husband Kurt, nephews, Leo Kaauwai, Abe Kaauwai, Dennis Jacobs and wife Christy, and many cousins.
Ron is proceeded in death by father Leonard Kuffel, mother Rose Kuffel, Uncle Peter Isaiah, Aunt Ernie McClelland.
Donations can be made in his name to Elks Scholarship fund or Columbia County Christian School.
Cremation will take place at the Columbia Funeral Home, 681 Columbia Blvd. St. Helens, Oregon.
Celebration of Life will be on March 31, 2018, from 1pm-5pm at the Elks Lodge. 350 Belton Road, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Family and friends are invited to come and spend time with the family.
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