Ron Puls, 74, of Malcom, died on Monday, December 29, 2025 at his home under the care of UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Hospice and his family.

A final call will be provided by the Malcom Fire Department at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. His family will receive friends at the visitation held from 2:30 pm until 5:00 pm on Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home. The family encourages those attending the visitation to wear Iowa Hawkeye clothing to honor Ron's love of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Memorials may be designated to the Malcom Fire Department and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Ron's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Ronald Dean Puls, Sr. was born on September 17, 1951, in Grinnell, Iowa, to Raymond Lee Puls, Sr. and Betty Mae (Wolfe) Puls. He was raised in Malcom and he graduated from BGM High School in Brooklyn with the Class of 1969.

Ron's passion for engines began early. Anything with a motor, he would tinker with — a love that carried through his entire life. He began his career with Marvin Kolars as an auto mechanic. From this experience, he started his own mechanic shop in 1982.

Service to his community was central to who he was. Ron dedicated 51 years to the Malcom Fire Department, where he served as Chief, Assistant Chief, and Treasurer. His commitment and skills were recognized with water fighting championship awards from the State of Iowa Firemen's Association in 1984, 1997, 1999, and 2000.

On January 29, 1993, Ron was united in marriage to Jane Aswegan in Marshalltown, Iowa. Together they shared a love for camping, riding in their Slingshot, golfing, and water fighting. Their adventures and companionship were a cherished part of his life.

Ron will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and unwavering willingness to lend a hand. Whether in the garage, on the fire department, or among friends and family, he was someone people could count on.

Ron is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jane Puls of Malcom; his son, Ronald (Stephnie) Puls, Jr. of Holiday Lake and their children Caden (Cassie), Cooper, and Sophie Puls; his daughter, Amy (Jason) Pansegrau of Toledo, IA, and their children, Brenden (Shiloh) Cleppe, Colton Cleppe, Danae (Joshua) Hass, and Haley Pansegrau; and his daughter, Bonnie (Clyde) Purk of Tama, IA and their children, Jaylee, Bryce, Jaika (Erin), and Tony; his step-son, Troy (Linda) Wilson of Union, IA and their children, Sandy, and Tyler; his step-daughter, Jamie Wilson of Marshalltown and her children Zalaina and August; his granddaughters, Courtney (Tyler) Schulmeister, Nicole Morrison, Kaitlyn (Alex) Morgan; 17 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Rick (Sheryl) Puls of Malcom, Rod Puls of Grinnell, and Russell Puls of Grinnell; his sisters, Deb (Kip) VanAuken of Grinnell, and Dedee Hoien of Grinnell, and Rhonda Puls of Malcom; his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Raymond Puls, Jr. and Roger Puls; and his step-daughters, Tammy Morrison who passed away in 2024 and Tina Wilson, who died in infancy.