Ronald Thyen Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel on Feb. 2, 2025.
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Ronald "RT" Francis Thyen, 78, of Hayti, South Dakota, passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 1, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Ron's celebration of life services will be held at St. John's Catholic Church in Castlewood, South Dakota.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 1:00-5:00pm, with Rosary at 5:00pm at St. John's Catholic Church in Castlewood.
Viewing will take place 30 minutes prior to the service on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:30am with burial in the Castlewood Cemetery. Following the burial, Ron's favorite thing-sharing a meal and fellowship-will take place in the church basement.
Pallbearers will be: Jason Thyen, Nathan Thyen, Andrew Thyen, Shawn Olsen, Kelly Olsen, Chad Schooley, Joe Ebbers and Dylan Gerberding.
Honorary pallbearers will be: All Ron's fishing buddies, numerous farming friends & neighbors, the hired men that became families through the years, the Minnesota hunters, Shake-a-Day pals, Whist card crew, and Waverly Woodchuck class of 1964.
In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials be made to the non-profit organization of your choice in memory of Ron.
Ron was born on February 16, 1946, to Ralph and Clarice (Hulscher) Thyen. Ron was the beloved number 1 son, the oldest of 12 children, and a proud Woodchuck of the Class of 1964 from Waverly, SD.
On October 15, 1966, Ron married the love of his life, Dianne (Haider) Thyen in Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kranzburg, SD. Their marriage of 58 years was built on love, laughter, and a shared commitment to family. Together, they raised three children-Michael (Patty) Thyen, Eva (Tom) Engebretson, and Kathryn (Steve) Jurrens-and became even prouder grandparents to Aralyn & Gianna Jurrens, Isaac & Connor (Grace) Engebretson, and Taylor (Tyler), Kinsley, Sutten, and Stetson Ronne.
The farmer in him started when he was just 8 years old, riding a plow, and grew to become President of the FFA, taught cattle AI, worked as a seed salesman, and farmed grain and beef across the Waverly, Hayti, and Castlewood areas. He was part of the State Weed Board, founding board member of Glacial Lakes Corn Processors, and spent 25 years as a Hamlin County 4-H leader, the Crop Improvement Association and the Livestock Association. In 2009, he earned the Excellent Range Management award. Ron served in the National Guard from 1965 to 1971 and was a member of American Legion Post 250. You could find him in the third pew on the right side of St. John's Catholic Church in Castlewood since 1975. When he wasn't working on the farm, Ron enjoyed traveling with Dianne, his mom Clarice, and friends, from coast to coast, including Hawaii and Alaska.
His contributions to the agricultural community and beyond were numerous, but it was his fishing skills, sense of humor, one-liners, and his willingness to lend a helping hand that left the biggest impression. If you ever called him, he'd answer with a friendly, "Ron here," and end every conversation with his signature line: "Keep it between the ditches, rubber side down." There wasn't much he couldn't fix. One of his best sayings was, "How do you eat an elephant?....One bite at a time."
Ron is survived by his wife, Dianne; children and grandchildren; siblings Phyllis (Pat Karie) Sour, Kenneth Thyen, Lois (Doug) Hyde, Mary Ellen Luikens, Bernie Thyen, Danny (Becky) Thyen, Rita (Tom) Berg, Sharon Thyen, Diane Seitz, Jim (Penny) Thyen, and Russ (Heather) Thyen; his in-laws Elaine(Lynn) Peterson, Janel (Randy) Jenkins, and Larry Haider, his remaining aunt Helen Haan, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Carl and Theresa Haider; and brothers-in-law Corky Sour, Dean Luikens, Dan Seitz, Jerome Haider, James Haider, and sister-in-law Marilyn Haider.
RT passed away at 4:45 p.m. - just in time to check the bulls in heaven.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com