Ron W. West, 74, of Baxter passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in Baxter, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012 at Unit Lodge #520 Masonic Temple, 107 N. Main St., in Baxter, Iowa. Funeral services and Masonic services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the Masonic Lodge. Burial will follow in the Ashton Cemetery, Rural Mingo Ron was born in Wayne County, Iowa on January 1, 1938. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served until 1958. He worked at Parson's in Newton for many years. He took a civil service job at Camp Dodge until retiring in 1987. He married Mary Jo Decker Klauenberg 7th of Dec. 1985. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Ron was an avid outdoorsman with a love of hunting, gun collecting and working metal with his hands. Ron mentored many inspiring in others passions for hunting, firearms, and blacksmthing. Those left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 26 years Mary Jo; his 8 children, Paulene West-Berger, Chris West, Carmen (West) Hackworth, Darla (Kevin) Klauenberg Knutson Brad (Deb) Klauenberg, Bea Ann (Kathy Rosedale) Kluenberg, Toby (Jennifer) Klauenberg Craig (Regina) Rothamel; seventeen Grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Ron was a member of the Baxter Masonic Lodge, American Legion Post 493 Baxter, Beaver Creek Plainsmen & Buckskinners. He served over 20 years as Blacksmith and Security at Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State fair. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be distributed to local charities at a later date. Fredregill Family Funeral Home, in Baxter, has been entrusted with the care of Ron and his family. 641-227-2622