Ronald `Ron` Sersland
Ronald `Ron` Sersland , Age 63
Our hearts are sad to share the unfortunate news that Ron Sersland, age 63, of Reedsburg, died on Monday, February 5, 2024 in a devastating car accident. A man who dedicated his entire life to his family and the dairy industry, Ron will be remembered as a loving, supportive, hard-working, dedicated, passionate, smart, and humorous Christian who was a friend to so many people around the world.
The son of Howard and Karol (Benson) Sersland, Ron was born June 30, 1960, and raised on a registered Holstein farm near Decorah, IA. A proud graduate of Iowa State University, he completed a Dairy Science degree. After college, Ron began working in the dairy artificial insemination industry. He became fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Since 1986, Ron traveled extensively outside of the U.S., developing and nurturing relationships with international distributors and dairy producers. Holstein cows have taken Ron to more than 50 different countries.
Ron married Sandy Setzer in 1990. In 1991, Ron and Sandy Sersland began Our Help, Inc. as a part-time business. The Sersland’s founded Our Help to assist international customers that wanted to acquire hard-to-get items. Unfortunately, Sandy Sersland passed away in 1994. Ron married Nelly Moreno on August 18, 2000, in Nelly’s home country of Colombia.
Ron continued to grow Our Help as a service business centered on the company’s philosophy of providing customers with quality products while providing excellent customer service. In 1999, Our Help purchased International Protein Sires (IPS). For the last 25 years, Ron has been IPS CEO and President, which he owned with his wife, Nelly. IPS has shipped semen to over 40 different countries and has worked with some of the largest agricultural companies and dairy cooperatives around the world. Domestically, semen has been marketed through an extensive network of employees and distributors. Ron has been involved in every aspect of IPS.
It was very rewarding for Ron to see milking daughters from IPS bulls performing well for breeders around the world. Meeting new people and determining how IPS might assist them with their goals was his passion. Developing friendships with so many people was the root of Ron’s business. His contributions to the dairy industry were recognized when he received the 2021 Marlowe Nelson Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Holstein Association.
Ron was the third generation to own and operate his family’s Iowa farm. Ron and Nelly’s daughter, Bailey, became involved in 4-H because of her Dad’s influence. He was proud that Bailey showed dairy cattle, just as he did. Outside of work, Ron was a very proud husband and father and boasted to everyone about Nelly and Bailey. He loudly cheered for Bailey at swim meets, school events and anything that Bailey was involved in. Ron cared deeply for Nelly and Bailey; he always put them first. He could always provide his family with a different perspective on life, especially when things looked challenging.
Ron is survived by his wife, Nelly; daughter, Bailey; stepson, Eric (Karen) Taylor; sister, Cheryl (Dennis) Cline; mother-in-law, Armida Moreno; brother-in-law, Duber (Sandra) Moreno; special cousin, Judy (Mike) Lynch; godchildren, Nathan, Isla, Angie, Jazleah, and Nicolas; special friends, Scott and Nancy Armbrust; step-grandchildren, Luke and Lacey Taylor; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a wide range of friendships whose lives he touched in many corners of the world.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandy; parents, Howard and Karol; father-in-law, Nestor Moreno and special Aunt, Guillermina Moreno.
We will celebrate Ron’s life with a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Karen Hofstad officiating. To honor and remember Ron’s life, there will be a visitation on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 727 8th Street, Baraboo, and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, at the church. Inurnment will be held at a later date. We invite Ron’s family and friends to “talk cows” during this time; one of his favorite hobbies.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.
The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home in Baraboo is assisting the family.
Condolences
Javier Galarraga Noria February 09, 2024
Amigo San José Iturbide , New Mexico
Nelly, Beily and Eric, mi más sentido pésame. Ron fue una persona extraordinaria que aprendà a quererlo muchÃsimo, me duele muchÃsimo su pérdida y ahà estaré para darle el último adiós. Les mando un abrazo bien apretado. Dios los bendiga
JUAN RAMÓN CERVANTES RAMÃREZ February 09, 2024
Distribuidor IPS EN JAIISCO MEXICO Guadalajara
Mis mas sentidas condolencias en este momento tan difÃcil, nuestras oraciones están con su familia para que tengan paz en su corazón y mucha fortaleza, Ron fuuiste un excelente hombre y gran Amigo, trabajamos con Ganaderos en México con mucho orgullo, Gracias Ron por compartir con nosotros tu experiencia y todos tus conocimientos
Jorge E. Guerra February 09, 2024
Friend and employee Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our thoughts and prayers with Nelly and Bailey. Celebrating the life of a great person.
David larson ,Milena Larson , Gilma Buendia February 09, 2024
friends Verona , Wisconsin
I am sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that I will be praying for strength, peace, and comfort for you and your family.
Alfredo Joaquin Ruveda February 09, 2024
Amigo Venado Tuerto
Con profundo dolor e inmensa tristeza despedimos a Ron. Excelente Padre, Esposo, gran Amigo e influyente Profesional. Todas sus cualidades personales, lo han destacado durante su vida y seran las permaceran en mis recuerdos por siempre. Dificil despedir a Ron, no alcanzan las palabras. Abrazo con toda mi alma a Bailey, Nelly y Eric.
Claudia February 09, 2024
Amiga Madison , Wisconsin
Mi corazón y oraciones están con ustedes. Una gran persona sube al cielo a vivir como un angelito para acompañarlas siempre. Un abrazo grande y espero verlas pronto.
Familia Moreno Belalcazar February 09, 2024
Familia Neiva , Wisconsin
Con profunda tristeza hemos recibido la noticia del fallecimiento de una gran persona, alguien dedicado a su familia y con resultados impresionantes de sus esfuerzos. Nos unimos en este momento de dolor y queremos expresar nuestras más sinceras condolencias. Que encuentren consuelo en los hermosos recuerdos compartidos y en el amor que siempre los rodea. Con cariño y apoyo, Familia Moreno Belalcazar
CIAVT February 09, 2024
Distribuidor exclusivo de IPS en Argentina. Amigos. Venado Tuerto. Argentina.
El Consejo de Administración, el Gerente General y todo el staff de CIAVT (Argentina) ruegan por el eterno descanso en paz de su amigo Ron y acompañan afectuosamente a su familia, especialmente a Nelly, Bailey y Eric. Ron fue merecedor de respeto profesional y un gran afecto personal por parte de todo nuestro equipo. Fue un privilegio conocerlo y compartir con él trabajo y amistad durante más de 19 años. Descansa en paz Ron Sersland, tu recuerdo permanecerá por siempre entre nosotros.
Familia de Raúl Peyrano February 09, 2024
De más de 30 años ,comenzó comercialmente llegando a ser amigos queridos Corral de Bustos
Después de más de 30 años de relación .lamentablemente hoy despedimos al querido amigo Ron. Para nuestra flia. comenzó como proveedor y luego gestor en EEUU para importar semen de distintas razas y elementos industriales,Siempre dispuesto para lo que se lo necesitaba y con un humor digno de mencionar, siempre sonriente disfrutando momentos. Con el correr de los años ,una amistad sincera surgió y en sus visitas a Argentina nuestra casa era la suya.Compartimos hermoso tiempo y la comida Argentina que tanto ponderaba. Abrazo sentido para Nelly,Bailey Eric y todo el equipo IPS.Dios lo cobije Q.E.P.D.
Nathalia Cristina Vargas Bethencourt February 09, 2024
Amiga Colombiana de la familia Bucaramanga , Wisconsin
Quiero enviarles mis más sinceras condolencias en este momento de profundo pesar por la pérdida de Ron. Sé que estas palabras no pueden mitigar el dolor que están experimentando, pero espero que encuentren algo de consuelo en el amor y el apoyo que les rodea. Ron fue verdaderamente un hombre increÃble, cuya presencia dejó una marca imborrable en la vida de quienes tuvimos el privilegio de conocerlo. Su calidez, su sentido del humor y su generosidad resonarán en nuestros corazones para siempre. Me quedo con el recuerdo de los momentos compartidos junto a él, y en particular, con la idea de poder volver y llevarle un aguardiente, para verlos reÃrse y hablar de todas sus experiencias. Son esos pequeños gestos los que nos ayudan a mantener viva su memoria y su espÃritu. En estos momentos difÃciles, les envÃo toda la fuerza y el apoyo que necesitan. Que encuentren consuelo en los recuerdos compartidos y en el amor que Ron les brindó. Estoy aquà para lo que necesiten. Las quiero mucho Bailey y Nelly.
JUAN CARLOS MIHANOVICH February 09, 2024
Friend Hipolito Bouchard - Córdoba - Argentina
Queridos Bayley, Nelly y Eric, que triste noticia la partida de Ron a la Casa del Padre pero con la tranquilidad de que él hoy vive junto a DIOS y que cada dÃa que pasa es un dÃa menos para encontrarnos con él nuevamente para vivir eternamente en total felicidad. Ron dejo profundas huellas en cada uno de nosotros por su calidez y amistad estando siempre atento a servir y ayudar a sus amigos. En CIAVT el estuvo en los momentos más difÃciles tendiendo su mano generosa y siempre dispuesto a colaborar y acompañar en todo lo que estaba a su alcance. Querido Ron, te vamos a extrañar, aunque estoy seguro que siempre estarás presente cada dÃa en la brisa en nuestras caras cada vez que caminemos recorriendo CIAVT.
Drs. Ron & Melanie Burkhalter February 09, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
We were heart broken to hear this devastating news. Sending prayers to Nelly, Bailey and family. So very sorry for your loss.
James Krueger February 09, 2024
friend/business associate Reedsdburg , Wisconsin
Nelly, Bailey, Eric - I am so sorry to learn about your loss. He was a very good friend and I always enjoyed our conversations with him about his family. I will miss him. ---- Rest in Peace friend!
Denise Hovden-Baumler February 09, 2024
Friend/Classmate Decorah , Iowa
So sorry for your lossðŸ™ðŸ». Ron was a classmate from Decorah High School class of 1978.
David larson ,Milena Larson , Gilma Buendia February 10, 2024
friends Verona , Wisconsin
I am sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that I will be praying for strength, peace, and comfort for you and your family.
Gordie Cook February 10, 2024
Friend Hadley , Massachusetts
So sorry for your loss i enjoyed Ron's friendship and our business relationship for a long time and will miss the opertunitie To see and chat with him in the future. The dairy industry will certainly miss his impact
Dan Gilbert February 10, 2024
Old Friend Oconomowoc , Wisconsin
Dearest Nelly and Bailey; We are so sad for your loss, and indeed the loss to everyone who met Ron. He was one of a kind. We knew each other 45 years. We shared many of the same interests and heritage. We also did a good amount of business together. When I met a wonderful person from Colombia, Ron reached out and offered his support and indeed home and family...without being asked. You all were a Godsend to us. In all of our years, I never remember a negative word between us. I have never met anyone who also knew Ron who was not also a friend. His love of family was without question. While he was always smiling, if the subject of Nelly or Bailey arose he would BEAM. Diana and I are here for you and will do anything we are called upon to help. Know you are loved and we pray for your peace and comfort. Love Dan and Diana
Masoud Jafari February 11, 2024
business Tehran
I have never forget your smile I have leant many things from you so I will miss you my friend , rest in peace.
eric nelson February 14, 2024
friend Eau Claire , Wisconsin
From Marlowe's family, you have our deepest sympathy. My dad really enjoyed working with and selling the business to Ron as IPS was so important to him. They were kindred spirits—it’s all about the cows and bulls. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the service but our thoughts are with you during this time.
Judith Holtz February 18, 2024
Friend Deerfield Beach , Florida
Dearest Nelly, Bailey, Eric and family. I can’t find the words to tell you how deeply sorry I am for the loss of your dear, Ron. I am holding you close in thoughts and prayers and hoping that your treasured memories will somehow ease your grief..May he rest in peace.
Liesl Monroy February 28, 2024
Friend Madison , Wisconsin
Querido Ron qué descanse en paz. My sincere condolences to you, Nellie and Bailey and to Eric and family and to Dianne and everyone at IPS. It is such a terrible loss. He leaves such a huge hole in all of our hearts and in the hearts of all the friends Ron made all over the world who looked to him and waited for him to visit and help them improve their herds. I am sending so much love and caring your way ¡Qué Dios los bendiga!
Leonardo Duenas March 02, 2024
Amigo Quito
Nelly, Baily y Erick, siento mucho la partida de Ron. Un gran esposo, padre, amigo y profesional. En la vida estos son de los momentos más duros y hay que afrontarlos con la mayor serenidad, sabiendo que Ron siempre estará presente a través de todas sus enseñanzas y momentos compartidos. Sin duda una persona de mucha influencia dentro de la vida de los que los conocimos de cerca, fuerza y aceptación. Toda mi familia les envÃa las más sentidas condolencias.
jean louis siaume March 06, 2024
distributeur de gentique IPS pour la france Mouliets-et-Villemartin
toutes nos pensees pour la famille de ron est une immense tristesse ,ron restera l'homme passionne par la genetics un grand vide restera .
Mark March 13, 2024
Former supplier of IPS to Australian market Burnie
Very sad to hear this news I liked Ron and had a lot of interesting dinners and discussions with him Mark from Tasmania Australia