Ron Schlinger

Ronald P. Schlinger, 78, passed away on December 26, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck. Ron spent his final days at Sanford surrounded by family and friends, and the kind and compassionate staff of 7C.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan with Fr. Josh Waltz celebrating. A graveside service will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Parish Rosary & Vigil beginning at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Ron was born on July 1, 1947, in Mandan to Joseph and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Schlinger. He grew up on a small family farm in St. Anthony, ND and worked hard to support their large family, particularly after the death of his father when Ron was just a teenager. Despite the long hours and demands of the farm, he did enjoy moments of fun. After the chores were all done, he enjoyed wrestling in the straw with his brothers.

Ron graduated from Mandan High School in 1965, where his children recently learned that he wrestled in the lightweight division. He married Cynthia Leingang of St. Anthony in July 1970. Ron was drafted by the US Army and served in the Vietnam War from 1970-1972. It was on a short leave home during this tour that he became a father for the first time. After his honorable discharge from the military, he attended Bismarck Junior College where he completed studies in electrical instrumentation. He worked as a manager at the Magnavox stores in Mandan and Bismarck in the late 1970s, proudly entering a float in the beloved Mandan 4th of July Parade.

Ron worked at the Mandan Refinery from 1981 to 2010 in many roles, retiring as an Instrument and Electrical Supervisor. During his time there he survived many of the infamous refinery ‘turnarounds’, cooked pancake breakfasts for the team, and made lifelong friends.

Ron met his current wife, Jackie Gregory of Dickinson, ND, in 2001 through The Beginning Experience. They spent many hours meeting new friends, leading retreats, entertaining, and dancing on the dining room hardwood floor that he nailed in with his brother, Dave. They married in January 2011 and continued to reside in Mandan.

Those who knew Ron would describe him as kind, loving, and hardworking, with a sneaky sense of humor. Some may call him ‘stubborn,’ but we lovingly refer to him as tough and resilient, which was the case through his final days.

Ron had many hobbies including fishing, hunting, gardening, and canning. He had the most pristine lawn in the neighborhood and he and Jackie generously shared vegetables from their garden with friends and family. He was always eager to take others fishing in his boat and teach them the best ways to catch walleye and salmon (and make everyone sandwiches with a dash of horseradish sauce!). Even if no fish were caught, memories were made and hearts and stomachs were full as the lunch bag was always robust and included cold cuts and Oreos. He enjoyed hunting with his friends and family and looked forward to hosting sausage-making in January-February where he meticulously manned the smoker (even through the night when necessary). Ron was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and a frustrated fan of the Vikings; and the radio and TV broadcasts of the games could often be heard in the garage. He spent many hours tinkering in the garage and no matter the age, there was never an item he couldn’t fix.

Ron was very proud and supportive of his family and was always making sure they had what they needed - from an oil change, to a full-on winter survival kit with window breaker, to attending his grandchildren’s volleyball and basketball games, choir concerts, and drama performances, to being a confidant and champion to others during times of grave illness. He made a tradition of hosting an annual 4th of July picnic where everyone was welcome and enjoyed Dairy Queen ice cream cakes at every birthday

Ron is survived by his wife of fourteen years Jackie Schlinger; children Corey (Jane) Schlinger, Tamara Schlinger (Andrew Madar), Vanessa (Brian) DeBruin. He was also blessed with two bonus daughters, Tina (Scott) Wieser, and Nicole (Ryan - now in heaven) Berger; grandchildren Eden, Isaiah, and Sophia Schlinger, Kellen and Lacey DeBruin, Calyse and Amalya Madar, Sierra (Brady) Maxon, Brooklyn (Caleb) Hansen; great-grandson Coye Maxon; sisters and sisters-in-law Kathy (Rick) Eckroth, Charmaine (Kevin) Schroeder, Linda Hilbers, Elaine Schlinger, Bernie (Rick) Warhurst, brothers Roger (Charlene), Gerald (Charmain), Donald, and Joe (Char Binstock).

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Minnie Schlinger, brothers Harold and Dave Schlinger, and son-in-law and dear friend, Ryan Berger.

In lieu of flowers, Ron's family requests donations be made in his name to either the Bismarck Cancer Center or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.