Marlowe E. Ronke

Marlowe E. Ronke, age 72 of Watertown, SD passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Watertown.
Funeral service will be at 10:30am, Monday, June 3, 2024 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown.
Visitation will be 2:00-4:00pm, Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at the Esterly Cemetery near Florence, SD.
Active pallbearers will be, Dusty Wassenaar, Gabe Nelson, Adam Nelson, Jacob Ronke, Jared Ronke and Becky Hansana.
Honorary pallbearers will be, Chrystal LeGrand, Teresa Creekmore, Zoë Cope, Audrey Beck, Leslie Custer, Brian Wik and Kevin Wik.
Marlowe Edward Ronke was born November 19, 1951, to Arbie and Lucille (Strohfus) Ronke. Marlowe was the oldest of 5 children: Roxanne (Alan) Nelson, Carla (Jack) Voss, Lori (Jerry) Cope, and Edward (Lisa) Ronke. He was baptized and confirmed at Blessed Sacrament Church in Florence, SD, and attended #19 Country School. After graduating from Watertown High School where he enjoyed participating in the FFA, welding classes, and was active in 4-H, he served in the National Guard as part of the 147th Field Artillery Unit for 7 years. While serving, he assisted with the Rapid City Flood rescue in 1972.
Marlowe started farming with his family as a child near Florence, SD. He then operated his own farm until 1997, growing crops, raising livestock, and breeding Border Collie dogs. Marlowe transported semi-loads across the country and then drove a tow truck servicing the community for many years to follow. He served 3 years as a board member of Watertown Coop Elevator. For the last 15 years, he has worked on the Mack Brothers' farm and welded with his cousin at 'Weld It All'. During the summers Marlowe worked for the Codington County Conservation District planting trees. Most recently, he had loved helping his son, Phillip, with construction projects.
Throughout his life, he had found great joy fishing from shore, boat, and on the ice. You could also find him taking care of his lawn and flowers, sitting on the patio, visiting with good company, playing cards and board games, and in his earlier years, bowling and dancing with the catch of a lifetime, his wife Nancy. He loved to weld custom projects such as feedlot panels and trailers and was especially excited about the custom-built icehouse he constructed with his son. His handiness showed as he enjoyed designing and making the projects come to life. He also enjoyed greeting and ushering in church with his wife but smiled the most while spending time with his grandchildren.
Marlowe married Nancy Wik on July 12, 1980. They have 4 children: Brenda (Tim) Schmeling, Kaylyn (Brandon) Haley, Peggy (Ben) Zillgitt and Phillip (Natasha) Ronke. He also has 9 grandchildren: Michal Anne(18), Molli(15), Zachary(13), Oakley(5), Aiden(5), Briggs(3), Arlen(2), Max(1), and Lily(1m). Marlowe has a large extended family including many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Marlowe was well known for his ability to visit with everyone and was happy to help anyone who asked. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fishing buddies.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arbie and Lucille Ronke; his Brother, Edward Ronke; brothers-in-law, Rudy Wassenaar, Kenneth Wik and Jerry Cope; and sister-in-law, Annette Wik.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com