Ronald A. "Ginny" Ginsberg, 87, of Keokuk, the kindest man we knew, passed away Wednesday, April 19. 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.

Ron was born Feb. 15, 1936, in Ottumwa, to Theodore A. (Ted) Ginsberg and Helen Mae (Kile) Ginsberg.

On March 17, 1963, he was united in marriage with Mary Higgens of Kirksville, Missouri. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with friends in Texas.

Ron moved to Keokuk at an early age, attending Garfield Elementary, Keokuk Middle School, and Keokuk High School, graduating in 1954.

In 1956, Ron and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked for a self-service shoe store, opening up three more stores at different locations.

Moving back to Keokuk after five years, the family purchased Rowe's Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealership and renovated the building into Big "G" Foods. After opening the grocery store, he opened Keokuk's first self-serve shoe store, later opening Big "G" Furniture on the upper level. Ron moved Big "G" Foods to 1501 Main St., in 1974. He also uniquely used the store to service tow boats as they passed through Lock 19. After many years, Ron transitioned the store into Keokuk Carpet Center. The creative entrepreneur he was, Ron and Mary opened up Hickory Haven Campground in 1992.

Ron was an avid trap shooter, winning several awards. He loved to boat, owning a houseboat and several other boats. Ron and Mary enjoyed many trips on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

He was noted for his great laugh, smile, whistle, and fancy dancing. Ron always told Mary he took dance lessons from Arthur Murray Studios in Phoenix. He and Mary met dancing, and they continued to dance throughout their life together. Since 2014, they enjoyed spending winters in Texas.

Ron's greatest joy was raising his daughters. He attended every event he could, even volunteering to help coach a third grade AAU basketball team. Work ethic was an important value to Ron, which he instilled in his daughters, putting them to work by age 13.

Throughout his life, he was a very generous person, always helping those in need. It was not uncommon for him to "loan" money to people in need of groceries. He was a great supporter of Keokuk and several charities. A special place in his heart was for "Twisted Sisters" and Southeast Iowa Regional Dialysis in Keokuk.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Nicole Ginsberg (Quincy, Illinois), and Tara (John) Helenthal (Omaha, Nebraska); grandchildren: Kaitlyn Ginsberg (Tim Cleveringa) of Quincy, Ryan Shoaff (Navy corpsman stationed in North Carolina), Brandon Kainz (Waynesville, Missouri), and Isabelle Helenthal (Omaha); great-grandchild Alora Cleveringa; sisters, Sherry (Jim) Kay and Cindy (Larry) Brackelsberg of Keokuk; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Helen Ginsberg; sister Sally Youngquist; sister-in-law Linda (Higgens) Butler and Judy (Higgens-Sayre) Guiles; brothers-in-law Wayne Youngquist, John Butler, Marvin Sayre, and Ed Guiles; mother-in-law Irene (Higgens) Komer; fathers-in-law Harley Higgens and William Komer; and his grandparents.

Ron donated his body to research, and there will be no service.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at Keokuk Yacht Club.

Any memorials should be given to Susie Atterberg, 3394 276th Ave., Keokuk, IA 52632 to go to Twisted Sisters, SERD (Southeast Renal Dialysis — Keokuk), or the Keokuk Yacht Club.