Loren L. Ring

RAPID CITY - Loren L. Ring, 64, Rapid City, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, in Lawrence County as a result of a plane crash while crop dusting.

Loren was born March 4, 1947, to Erwin and Luella (Littau) Ring in Murdo. He grew up in a farming family amongst his many aunts, uncles, cousins and two younger siblings. Most of his childhood was spent in Millette County. However, he lived in Fort Collins, Colo., for a short period of time during his middle school years. He attended St. John's Lutheran church in Norris and was confirmed there in 1961. After graduating from Todd County High School in 1965, he attended the University of South Dakota for one year before returning home to help run the family farm.

Loren came from a family of pilots; he was flying before he was driving. He began his career as a crop duster and founded his own spraying company, Ring Aviation. For the past four decades, Loren completed aerial spraying throughout the state of South Dakota. Loren also worked for the Rapid City Public Schools Custodial and Maintenance Department for 24 years, from which he retired last year.

In his mid-20s, Loren joined a group of Believers in Rapid City who became a bedrock as he strengthened his faith and love for the Lord throughout the course of his life. It was through this group that he met his wife, Marsha Peterson. Loren and Marsha were married in May 1980. In July 1983 their first son, David, was born, followed by Jonathan in April 1985 and Quintin in 1989.

Loren was intensely devoted to his family and friends. He was a caregiver for his mother until her death and had recently become the caregiver for his mother-in-law, Naomi

Larson. His three sons were his pride and joy, and his nephew Eric had become like a son to him. Loren was always working on a project. If you asked him for help, he would always say yes. He was adamant about doing things the right way. His projects often moved at a painstaking pace because he liked to make his own tools and custom parts in his workroom. The end result of all his endeavors was a quality project.

Loren loved to laugh, work, travel and above all spend time with his family. He truly had a heart of gold and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Marsha (Peterson) Ring of Rapid City; three sons, David (Jennifer) Ring, MD, and Jonathan Ring, both of Iowa City, Iowa, and Quintin Ring of Denver,

Colo.; his brother, Glen (Karla) Ring of Cedar Falls, Iowa; his nephews, Eric Clark and Adam Ring; his nieces, Carmen (Wes) Doughman and Elizabeth Ring; his mother-in-law, Naomi Larson; brother-in-law, Roger Larson, and family, and sister-in-law, Arlene Carr, and family; and

numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Luella (Littau) Ring; his sister, Rita Clark; his father-in-law, Al Larson; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, and for one hour before services.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill Paepke officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.

Friends may sign Loren's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.