Ronald Klerk de Reus, CEC

Ronald Klerk de Reus, 82, Hoyt, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, in the House at Midland Care. Ron was born April 8, 1933, in Bandung, Indonesia on the island of Java, the son of Rene’ Francois and Waleska Flohr Klerk de Reus. As a young boy, Ron spent the WW2 years in Holland. During that time he was separated from his family, without food and interned in a children’s camp. Though the war years were very difficult, he was fascinated with them and he continued to study, learn and talk about those years until he died. He also enjoyed reminiscing about St. Nicholaas, life in Holland and his five years sailing the “high seas” in the kitchen on board passenger ships from the Netherlands. Ron graduated from the Schools for Cooks and Confectioners (Banketbakkery) in Holland. Ron was a naturalized US citizen immigrating to America in 1958. He believed strongly in American values and freedom and was very proud to be an American, always wearing a flag pin on his lapel. He sponsored his mother and she was also able to come to America. Ron was a Certified Executive Chef who served such dignitaries as President Nixon and Vice-President Agnew. He worked in industrial food service all around the Midwest and owned and operated the Dutch Treat Restaurant in Muscatine, Iowa for 22 years. Customers remember his Split Pea Soup, Indonesian Pork Sateh and the delicious chicken salad “Dutch Boy” sandwiches. While in the kitchen, Ron enjoyed singing along with the music, cracking jokes with his customers and listening to their problems. Ron’s wonderful sense of humor and cute stories will be missed. Ron died during the dinner hour on Wednesday (Spaghetti Day) – this would have pleased him greatly. Ron was a nationally acclaimed Bench Rest Precision Rifle Sharp Shooter and the Membership Director for the Cast Bullet Association for twelve years. He enjoyed taking close up photographs of people, nature and food, driving his 6 wheel Argo ATV, working on his computer and being with his cats. Ron was a volunteer for Midland Care. When asked why he ended up in Kansas after such an adventuresome life, Ron answered “Life - Life just happens.” Survivors include daughter, Mary Rose (Scott), son, Ron Klerk de Reus II (Laura), and grandchildren, Ron III, Kelly, Jason and Katherine. Thank you to all the customers, co-workers and friends that enriched Ron’s life and special thanks to the Topeka medical community for all their care for him. “Keep the Music Playing.” Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warriors or Helping Hands Humane Society, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Ronald Klerk de Reus, CEC

April 8, 1933 - January 6, 2016