Ronald Paul Schliep

Ronald Paul Schliep, 71, of Holloway, Minnesota died on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, on the home farm rural Holloway. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, December 3, at the Trinity Lutheran Church - Fairfield Township near Holloway, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am followed by the funeral service at 10:30 am. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, make a donation to a charity of your choice, or the Fairfield Cemetery Fund. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ronald Paul Schliep was born on August 3, 1954, in Morris, Minnesota, the son of Stanley Harold and Marion Jane (Tofte) Schliep. He was baptized in the Lutheran Faith on August 7th at his home, and confirmed on May 5th, 1968 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairfield Township. He grew up and attended school in Holloway, and then went to the “big school”, graduating from Appleton High School in 1972. During those years, he was involved in wrestling, 4-H, FFA, serving as Vice President his senior year, and A.C.T. at church. In 1971, he rented his 1st piece of ground on shares from his Uncle Virgil. He then earned an Associate’s Degree at Willmar Area Vo-Tech in Farm Operations and Management, where he was active in Student Senate. After college, he returned home and joined his father, and later brother Stan, in their family farming operation. He purchased one of the 1st round balers in the area, beginning many years of custom baling and raising alfalfa for area cattle and dairy farmers. During this time also, he enjoyed stock car racing on the weekends with his friends, helping guide the #77 car to Victory Lane on multiple occasions. It was in Herman at the racetrack, where he met a farm girl named Joann Werk, and after a while, decided it was time to settle down, focusing on building a family, farm, and a future. On October 21, 1978, Ron was united in marriage to Joann Kay Werk at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Herman, Minnesota. This union was blessed with over 47 years of marriage and three children. They rented various houses in the area, and finally made their home on the family farm near Holloway in 1995. He dedicated his life to farming, raising crops, cattle, pigs, and many acres of alfalfa. The farm transitioned in 2006 when his son Doug joined as his dad Stanley retired later that year. His son Dan also joined in the later years. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church-Fairfield and served in various positions within the church. He served on the MN-VAP board for 8 years. Along with Joann, he was instrumental in starting the Family Deaf Camp weekend in the summers for families with deaf children. This created a lifetime of friendships with families within the deaf community, and a special bond with his daughter, Janelle. He played a very important role in the Family Readiness Group, supporting his son Dan, and the 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery during their deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005. Ron loved spending time with his family.

Watching his grandkids at many sporting events, concerts, helping them with tasks on the farm and other activities was always a priority. Ron delighted in teaching his grandson Jacob how to chisel plow this fall, handing off a job to the next generation as he planned to retire. He loved to go for drives on the weekends, checking out the area crops, visiting with neighbors, and having coffee down at the Holloway Cafe in the mornings. Ronald was called from this life on Wednesday, November 26th on the home farm. He attained the age of 71 years, 3 months and 18 days of age. Ron is survived by his wife Joann of Holloway; his children Douglas (Alicia) Schliep of Holloway, Daniel Schliep of Holloway, and Janelle Schliep of Lakeville; his grandchildren, Jacob, Emma, and Isaac Schliep; his siblings Cheryl (Tom) Gustafson of Hutchinson, MN, Marilyn (Dennis) Gallagher of Valdese, NC, Stanton (Jennifer) Schliep of Blair, WI; Brothers-in-law, Ken (Diane) Werk, Bob (Phyllis) Werk, Tom (Lorie) Werk, 17 nieces and nephews, and several other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Marion Schliep, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Harvey and Helen Werk, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Al and Michelle Werk, niece-in-law Misty Gustafson, nephew-in-law Alden Elliott, numerous aunts, uncles, and other relatives. Blessed be the memory of Ronald Paul Schliep.