Redfield: Ronald R. Hart, 76, of Redfield, S.D., died Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, at his home in Redfield.
Ron was cremated and his memorial service will be Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Rev. Tim Fugman will officiate. Cremains burial will be at a later date, thelenfuneralhome.com.
Ronald was born Aug. 25, 1934, in Ainsworth, Neb., to Ralph and Dorothy (Wiegert) Hart. He grew up in Nebraska and graduated from high school. He married Geraldine Slaymaker on May 18, 1953, in Nebraska and they had three daughters: Lora, Melanie and Kerrie.
In the late 1950s, the family moved to Culver City, Calif., and later to the San Fernando Valley. Ron was an electrician for more than 40 years for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in California. He married LeiLani Evans and they moved to Redfield in the mid-1990s. Ron worked at SDDC-Redfield in the powerhouse for several years and part time at Carpet's Plus.
Ron enjoyed everything outdoors, hunting and fishing, yardwork, being around water and collecting guns and archery equipment. He was an easy person to be around and enjoyed helping anyone that needed help.
Ron is survived by his daughters: Lora (Richard) Lake of Port Orchard, Wash., and Kerrie (Dean) Terry of Redfield; six grandchildren: Josh and Becky Lake, Cory and Brian Lane, Nicole Gunckel and Jennifer (Corey) Jaragoske; and three great-grandchildren: Chandler, Gavyn and Carter Jaragoske. He is also survived by his brother, John Hart, of Hooper, Neb.; his son-in-law, Steve (Lisa Heathman) Gunckel and his buddy, Terry Mackey, both of Redfield.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Mackey; his daughter, Melanie Gunckel; and his brothers and sisters.
