Obituary: Ronda Randall, 56, of Orlando, Fla. and Fountain

Ronda Michelle Randall, 56, of Orlando, Fla., and summer resident of Fountain, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023 peacefully at her cottage on Ford Lake.

Ronda was born on October 31, 1966 to Karen and Rowland Jelsma in Sparta. In 1985, she met Erich Randall through mutual friends and their love was instant and undeniable.  They were married later that year and were blessed with three daughters, Amanda, Kayleigh, and Hannah. In 2017, she became a grandmother to Mandy’s daughter, Kyra.

During Erich’s time in the military and years of frequent moves, Ronda taught her family that home wasn’t simply where you are located, but wherever you are with your family, spreading love. Ronda loved spending time with her family. She was a gifted cook and was always creating new recipes from scratch for everyone to enjoy.  Her favorite places in the world were by the lake, or on safari at Walt Disney World. It was unanimously decided that Disney’s character, Orange Bird, was her spirit animal. The cartoon brought her so much joy and she filled her home with him.  She was always taking care of her people and kept the door open for all family and friends. Everyone who came to her home instantly was welcomed as if they were family.

There is so much more we could say about this incredible woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother (LeLe), and friend. Put simply, Ronda spread joy to all who ever met her and those who were blessed to know her will miss her dearly. She is the light of so many lives and that light remains burning brightly.

In 2020, she and Erich founded Crucible Salts and Seasonings – her passion project that brought her love for cooking and her amazing taste for the world to experience. They frequented farmers markets across the country where they shared their creations, made friends, and brought joy to so many people.

Along with her husband, Erich, Ronda will be greatly missed and forever loved by her daughters Mandy (Ian) Milanian, Kayleigh (Austin) Summers, and Hannah Randall; her granddaughter Kyra; her parents Karen and Ron Jelsma; her sisters Rachel (Kevin) Green and Robyn Jeslma; along with countless others whose lives she brought light to.

A celebration of Ronda’s amazing life will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from noon to 3 p.m. at 6300 E Griffin Rd, Fountain (Sheridan Township). Per the family’s request, all are welcome to share in an afternoon at the lake. Please come dressed casually, colorfully, and comfortably.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Disney Conservation Fund, a non-profit organization that provides grants to various wildlife conservation projects locally in Florida and throughout the world. Few things brought Ronda more joy than spending time in Animal Kingdom seeing her favorite animals from around the world.  Disney Conservation Fund only accepts donations in person and the family will make a lump donation in Ronda’s honor to Disney in the coming weeks. Please forward any donations by check to Erich or by Venmo to @RememberingRonda.