Ron Eiesland

Ron Eiesland was a major contributor and supporter of the University of Sioux Falls Athletics Department until his death on February 24, 2015. He was a major contributor to the Stewart Center gym renovations, which included an air cooling system. Eiesland’s gifts helped fund the complete replacement of spectator seating and basketball goal standards. The facility updates enhanced the game atmosphere for student-athletes and fans alike. Eiesland regularly attended area collegiate games, including nearly every USF game, and supported athletics at a significant level.

The basketball floor at the Stewart Center was named “The Ron Eiesland Court” in his honor in 2012. Born on November 19, 1936 on a farm near Inwood, Iowa, to Olaf and Gladys (Huckfeldt) Eiesland, he attended country school and graduated from Canton High School in 1954.

Eiesland farmed with his father until his death in 1956. Eiesland had one sister, Maureen VanDenTop, who passed away in 2017. She was the mother of Jason VanDenTop, who with his wife Jaci and family, continues to farm in the Canton area. Ron served in the South Dakota Air National Guard for six years and was a member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church and member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls .