b'RONALD LEITZEL & TONIA LEITZEL ULSHMarvin died in 2002, three years later, at the age of 74.I considered him my partner until the day he died, Ron says. He had the jolliest laugh, adds Tonia. Its just a great memory to have, working with him and Our personalities arehearing him with that laugh. such that we definitelyAN EQUAL PARTNERSHIPbalance each other out.Ron and Tonia are not a typical Ron is the risk-taker, notbrother-sister duo.Because of their 18-year age gap, meHe takes the risk,they never lived together as siblings, and I follow behind andso they did not have to navigate the sometimes complicated big broth-make sure everythinger-little sister dynamic in that way. happens. Tonia was born and I got kicked out of the house so shed have aTonia Leitzel Ulsh, bedroom, thats what I tell every-Mountz Jewelers body, jokes Ron. They got to know each other later in life by working together, with Ron acting as Tonias mentor.When you learn from somebody, its not one of those situations where youre pushing and pulling, it was more of a growth for me, Tonia says.Continued on page 32ONE OF A KIND CRAFTSMANSHIPCongratulations to Ron Leitzel and Tonia Ulsh from all of us at A.JAFFE.30 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2024'