Ronnie David Little, 66

Ronnie David Little, 66, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at his home in What Cheer, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00pm- 8:00pm on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at the What Cheer Methodist Church. A funeral service for Ronnie will be held Monday, December 16, 2024, also at the Methodist Church in What Cheer at 10am, with a lunch to follow. Live-streaming and recording of the service will be provided on the What Cheer Methodist Church Facebook page. Burial will be held privately at the Sixteenth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Tri-County Food Bank (106 Broadway St. What Cheer, IA 50268). 

Ronnie was born May 23, 1958 in Oskaloosa, IA. The son of Lloyd and Dorothy (Herrmann) Little. Ronnie grew up on a farm in What Cheer with three siblings, his twin brother Roger Little and sisters Lora Helm and Judy Hopping. Ronnie was a 1976 graduate of Tri County High School. He began working at Mahaska Bottling Company and was united in marriage to LuAnne Bos on August 23, 1980 in the Methodist Church in Thornburg. To the union came four sons; Brett, Bart, Brady, and Brock. Ronnie continued his working career being employed at Clow. He later drove a semi, and finally retired at Gibson CPS. 

Ronnie loved his family, sports, fishing, and his country. He was an avid supporter of President Donald J. Trump and proudly drove his vehicle that was labeled "The Trump Train". Ronnie attended many Trump rallies in surrounding areas and proudly wore his Trump hats at all the sports events he attended. Ronnie was involved in sports throughout his life. He grew up playing catcher in little league, and continued playing baseball while in high school. Ronnie was also the manager for the football and basketball program under Steve McGraw. After graduating high school, Ronnie enjoyed playing men's fast-pitch softball. He favored pitcher and 1st base. He stayed involved in baseball by coaching little league and PONY league teams in What Cheer. Ronnie would provide transportation to the kids he coached to out of town games; however, it came with one stipulation.. the boys had to sing along to country music or they wouldn't play in the game when they got there. 

Ronnie attended countless amounts of football games, wrestling meets, and baseball/softball games between his kids and grandkids. He spent hours driving all across the United States taking his kids to wrestling meets, and continued following his grandkids through their sports endeavors. Through these adventures he formulated an even bigger family within these communities and was never shy to share his knowledge and give advice to anyone in ear shot. Ronnie didn't know a stranger, and if he did it wasn't for very long. He could solve any of the world's problems on a set of bleachers. He shared his love for sports and knowledge with all of his "adopted" kids, and loved them all as if they were his own. There was little that brought Ronnie more joy than spending an entire weekend near a wrestling mat watching his family, following bout numbers and stats, yelling and throwing his hat at referees, and enjoying a good bag of popcorn. 

Ronnie was also involved in the Athletic Boosters at Tri County High School and ran the pop shack there for 10+ years. He was the founding father of the Macho Nacho, which he still claimed the title of. He announced at the Tri County High School Wrestling Invitational for more than 25 years. Ronnie was extremely proud to be readily involved in the community, and giving back to the area that he grew up in. 

Ronnie was raised in the Methodist church in Thornburg. He continued his unwavering faith throughout his life, and experiencing exceptional spiritual growth within the last 7 years since the passing of his sister, Lora. 

Ronnie is survived by his brother, Roger Little, four sons, Brett (Lunden), Bart (Heather), Brady (Carrie), and Brock (Jessica); fourteen grandchildren, Hunter (Austin), Keller, Miranda (Andrew), Mariah (Joey), Marissa, Macie, Zoe, Gauge, Jordy, Benson, Audrina, Bailey, Dean, and Charlie; and five great-grandchildren Brextyn, Taysom, Colsyn, and Kannyn with another great-grandson due in April of 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Dorothy, and sisters Lora and Judy.