Ronald J. Roehr

The funeral service for Ronald Roehr will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Britton, SD. Pastor Jesse Carson will officiate the service. Visitation will be at First Lutheran Church on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in the spring at Britton Cemetery.

Ronald John Roehr was born on February 7, 1936, to Walter and Alma (Berger) Roehr at Marshall County Hospital. He joined three older brothers, Delmar, Duane, and Daryl. He grew up on various farms around the area. He attended rural schools with Waverly #1(Bauer School) being his first school. He graduated from Britton High School in 1953. While in high school he took part in FFA even attending the FFA national convention in Kansas City.

After graduation he worked on the family farm and did road construction in the summers. On January 1, 1956, he started dating Helen Marlene Atkinson. Story has it that he dated her because he could pick her up on the way to town. He married Helen on December 6, 1957, at First Lutheran Church in Britton. Ronald worked on road construction starting with Abraham Construction. He worked for various other contractors making lifelong friends with Roy and Bernie Kindt among many others. Some projects he worked on included Interstate 29 and the Big Stone Power Plant. Pamela Jayne was born on July 31, 1960. The family lived in Winner, Oacoma, Gettysburg, and Freeman while Ronald worked road construction during the summers, but they would come back to the family farm during the winter.

His father, Walter, passed away in 1963 and he purchased the family farm in March 1965. This is the farm he had lived on starting in 1947. On October 2, 1966, Jeffrey John was born. Ronald farmed for most of his life. He gave his children the perfect farm life with cattle, pigs, and sheep. He taught them excellent work ethics.

Ronald was a life-long member of First Lutheran Church where he served on church council and ushered. He worked at Horton Industries from July 9, 1978, to February 6, 1996, while also farming. He then worked at Sheldals from 1996 until they closed in 2001.

He suffered his first heart attack at age 60 which began his dependency on stents. Overall, he had nine put in. Ronald and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 6, 2007, with their children and families. Helen passed away on June 12, 2008. Ronald continued to farm with his son, Jeff. He learned to become quite a cook. Since he never liked to see anything go to waste, he created some incredibly unique dishes. After Helen passed, Ronald (Papa Roehr to Pam's kids) flew to Twin Falls each winter to see Pam and her family until his health prevented it. He loved to visit with Pam's in-laws and even started a few traditions.

He moved to Assisted Living for a time before moving to Wheatcrest Hills, when his legs no longer allowed him the mobility needed to live unassisted. His hobbies were farming, gardening, cooking, and doing chores for the cattle.

Family was extremely important to him, including holidays with extended family. Goodbyes were never short. They included a walk down the driveway talking while the car rolled back with the window down. Making homemade ice cream was a family tradition that everyone loved. Due to the proximity, he had a special relationship with his grandson, Robert, who would often spend the night at grandpa's where they would always have ice cream together.

Visiting with others was also a big part of his life. Once you met him you became a friend for life, no matter how or why your paths first crossed. He was known for his infectious smile and laughter. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting at his dinner table at Wheatcrest Hills, where he would wave to everyone who passed by the window. His friendly waves became so well known that even the FedEx driver gave him a Christmas card.

Ronald passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton, at the age of ninety.

Ronald is survived by his children and their spouses: Pam and Steve Rahe, Twin Falls, ID; Jeff and Kim Roehr, Langford, SD. Grandchildren: Robert Roehr, Watertown, SD; Seth Rahe, Moscow, ID; Stephanie Rahe, Lewiston, ID; Step-grandchildren: Cody and Kari Ramsey, Meade, KS; and Travis Jaskulka (Kelsie Murra and her son, Layne), Watertown, SD. Step-Great Grandchildren: Reyna McFarlane; Lawson Ramsey, and Haisley Jaskulka; Sisters-in-law Jane (Dennis) Bush, Tulsa, OK; and Kathleen Miles (Tom Arnett), Moses Lake, WA, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Walter and Alma Roehr; in-laws, Dave and Rose Atkinson; his brothers and their wives, Delmar (Marilyn Hastings) Roehr, Duane (Jennie Hagen) Roehr, Daryl (Lucy Hastings) Roehr; sisters in-law and brothers in-law, Robert (Bonnie Hagen) Atkinson; Gerald (Louise Kimball) Atkinson; Geraldine (Paul) Zuehlke; Harold (Carol Stieha) Atkinson; and George Miles along with several nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Jeff Roehr– 42553 119th St. – Langford, SD 57454