Ronald Lynn Churchill

Loving father and grandfather, Ronald Lynn Churchill, was called home to Heaven on January 16th, 2026 at the age of 78. Ron is survived by his daughter Sarah (Churchill) Silva, son-in-law Cristian Silva, and granddaughter Sabrina of Bayport, MN; granddaughters Cynthia Silva of AZ, and Julianna Silva of CO; daughter Carol Churchill and grandson Milo of Boston, MA; brother Lawrence Churchill and sister-in-law Karen Churchill of Faribault, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife Sonia (Swanson) Churchill and parents Lawrence and Eleanor Churchill of Stillwater, MN.

Ron was born in Minneapolis, MN and spent his life in Stillwater, MN. When he was growing up, he learned to play piano from his mother who was a piano teacher. He loved all types of music, including opera and country. With this love for music, he continued to play the piano and guitar throughout his whole life. He loved biking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating, water-skiing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and sugaring (making maple syrup).

Ron graduated from Stillwater High School in 1965 where he sang in the choir and played baseball. He was an animal lover and had many beloved pets throughout his life. He worked for many years at the Andersen Window Company in Bayport, MN. Ron was an aficionado of American history, war history, and world history. He loved traveling around the USA touring forts and other historical places. He liked to collect cannons and historical memorabilia. Ron was also an avid genealogist. He researched his family tree, including his wife Sonia's, by visiting libraries and graveyards throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and Massachusetts. He was able to trace his family heritage back to ancestors who rode the Mayflower ship into America.

Ron traveled and took his family on many fun vacations and road trips all around the USA. Some of their trips included places in Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Montana, Massachusetts, Florida, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They had fun traveling as a family to Canada as well. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to Cancun, Mexico together twice.

Ron enjoyed attending the symphony, musicals, and operas frequently with his wife and daughters. He was always selflessly helping out his family. He brought his daughters to piano and harp lessons for many years, driving to countless lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. He built a custom harp carrier case to transport his daughters' harps to local programs and across the country including Carol's high school orchestra Washington, D.C. trip. He helped bring his daughters to swim lessons and his daughter Sarah to dance lessons throughout their childhood. He also drove long distances back and forth to Carol's college in Boston, MA.

He loved helping his grandchildren as well, driving them for years to their synchronized swimming practices locally and competitions in Iowa. He also drove Cynthia to middle school early every week so she could attend the chamber orchestra club. He loved to babysit his granddaughters and spend quality time with them often. His daughters and granddaughters remember these times fondly.   

For the last three years, Ron resided at Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul. While living there, he was very social, made many lasting friendships, participated in activities, and was an active member of the community. He especially loved attending the musical performances and social outings at Lyngblomsten.

Ron was a very happy, kindhearted, loving, and caring man. He always had a smile on his face and was kind to everyone. He was always supportive, generous, and compassionate to his family and friends. He was very thoughtful and warmhearted. In his letters and cards to his family he would always write: "Never give up", "Always be kind", and "Love is forever". Ron set a wonderful example for his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.