Ronald Hepper

Ronald D. "Ron" Hepper, 58, Bismarck, died January 28, 2007, at St. Alexius Medical Center.

       Services will be held Thursday at 10:30 AM at Evangel Assembly of God in Bismarck with the Rev. Roger Will officiating.  Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

       Visitation will be held from 2-9 PM Wednesday at Parkway Funeral Service where a prayer service will be held at 7 PM that evening.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

       Ron was born on October 3, 1948, in Mandan, ND, the son of Rudolph and Rose (Mattis) Hepper.  He was raised on the family ranch southeast of Selfridge, ND, and graduated from Selfridge High School in 1967.  Ron then served in the United States Army in a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, where he received numerous honors including the Purple Heart.

       Following his military service, Ron returned to North Dakota and worked with his brothers.  Ron married Ruth Krogman on January 14, 1972, in Aberdeen, SD.  They lived in McLaughlin, SD, where Ruth taught school.  In the spring of 1973, Ron and Ruth bought a ranch south of Isabel, SD.  They farmed and ranched there until the fall of 2002 when they bought a smaller place near Golden Valley, ND.  In 2004, Ron and Ruth retired to Custer, SD.  They then moved to Bismarck in 2006 to be closer to family.  

       Ron was a true cowboy.  He loved horses and enjoyed raising and breaking colts.  Ron was a fine cattleman and built one of the best herds in the area.  Ron was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous and always had time for a friend. Above all else, Ron will be remembered for his sense of humor, his kind heart, and his love for his family.

       Ron is survived by his wife, Ruth of Bismarck, ND; his daughters, Karmen (Chad) Glaesman of Norfolk, NE, and Julie (Jim) Hornbacher of Menoken, ND; his son, Darren (Rebecca) of Eden Prairie, MN; his grandson, Isaac Hepper of Eden Prairie, MN; his granddaughter, Jacey Hornbacher of Menoken, ND; his brothers, Calvin, Adolph (Laverne), and Willie (Sis), all of Mobridge, SD, Rudy (Donna) of Fort Yates, ND, Harold (Darlys) of Gordon, NE, Stan (Kathleen) of Mandan, ND, and Alvin (Jerry McCormick) of Menoken, ND; his sisters, Emma (Raymond) Barchinger of Mandan, ND, and Norma (Tony) Schneider of McLaughlin, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

       Ron was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eddie.