Ron R. Toppenberg

Ron R. Toppenberg, 86, of Newton died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Park Centre.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, at the Community Heights Alliance Church. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Memorials to Community Heights Alliance Church Missions may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Ron, the son of Elmar W. and Carolyn (Smith) Toppenberg, was born on January 27, 1940, in Nevada, Iowa.  He grew up in Ames and graduated from Ames High School in 1958.  Ron received his BA and MA in Industrial Arts Education and also ran track (high hurdles) at Iowa State University. Ron worked for one year at Lynnville-Sully High School where he taught Industrial Arts, coached basketball, and then met Nancy Stanley. After that year, Ron took a job teaching Industrial Arts and Computer Drafting at Newton High School where he would remain until retirement in 1999.  On August 1, 1964, Ron and Nancy were united in marriage at the Lynnville Friends Church. They would make their home in Newton.  During his time teaching, Ron coached swimming for 29 years and also track and field. 

Ron was a talented woodworker, building beautiful furniture for friends and family. He also was a member of the Proclamations Gospel Quartet with his wife for over 10 years where he played the bass guitar and sang.  Ron attended the Community Heights Alliance Church.

Ron is survived by his wife, Nancy Toppenberg of Newton; children, Carol (Royce) Dexter of Urbandale, Cheryl (Dennis) Piotraschke of Johnston, and Brian (Terron) Toppenberg of Norwalk; his son-in-law, Brian Papa of Effingham, Illinois; grandchildren, Lauren Dexter, Braden (Aleena) Dexter, Alysen Dexter, Carissa Miller, Aaron Piotraschke, McKenzie Papa, Morgan (Austin) Wenthe, Madi Papa, and Emmory Toppenberg; three great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Norah, and Nolan; his sister, Stanly (Duane) Chaloupka of Loveland, Colorado; and step-siblings, Judy, Jerry, Jan, Debbie, and Nick. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Caroline Toppenberg; daughter, Christen Papa; siblings, Jackie Lee Toppenberg and Randy Toppenberg; and step-siblings, Christine and Cynthia. 

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