Ronald “Ron” Lee Hespe, 71, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 at 10 am at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.
Ronald Lee Hespe was born July 16, 1949 to Louis and Georgia (Sund) Hespe at the Baptist Hospital in Winner, SD. He was the third of seven children. Ron was raised in Winner surrounded by his many family members, who affectionately referred to him as “Ronnie.”
Growing up, Ron loved to spend time fishing and getting into all sorts of mischief with his older brother Jerry.
He graduated from Winner High School in 1968.Ron married the love of his life, Barbara Abbey, on June 28, 1968. In December of that year their oldest son, Bryan, was born, and in March of 1971 Ron and Barb welcomed their second son, Clay. In 1975 they moved into their lifelong home and in December of that year their daughter, Abby, was born.
Ron and Barb celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018. While in high school, Ron started working at Al’s Body and Glass, where he continued to work until 1971. From there he went to work at Grossenburg Implement until his retirement. Upon retirement, Ron started working at the Lazy J Grand Lodge, being his son-in-law Cody’s “right hand man” and being a jack of all trades. He enjoyed getting to know the hunters who came to the lodge from all over the U.S.
Ron was all his grandchildren’s biggest fan, following them to all their activities, and always celebrating their achievements. He especially enjoyed going hunting with his sons and grandsons.
Ron recently got a smartphone, and he greatly enjoyed getting to keep in touch more easily with his family and friends.
He was well known for all the memes he would continually send everyone. Ron was a genuine person, always wanting everyone to know he was thinking of them.
Ron is survived by his children: Bryan (Kim) Hespe, Winner; Clay (Cary) Hespe, Parkston; Abby (Cody) Jorgensen, Ideal; grandchildren: Hattie Hespe, Layne and Natalie Hespe, Phillip, Emma and William Jorgensen, Felicia and Brianna Gronenthal; Siblings: Richard (Connie) Hespe, Ivanhoe, TX; Beverly (William) Whitney, Rapid City, SD; Barbara (Melvin) Lee, Winner, SD; Doug (Ruth) Hespe, Owasso, OK; sister-in-law Linda Hespe; brother-in-law Jerry Dodd and numerous nieces and nephews, family, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, father, Louis Hespe, mother, Georgia Sund Rappe, grandchildren Lynae and Marci Hespe, brother, Gerald Hespe, sister, Deborah Dodd, parents-in-law Raymond and Rhoda Abbey, sister-in-law Diana Frank, brother-in-law Frank Tyburec, nieces Annette Devish and Catherine Whitney, nephew Jeff Hespe, great-nieces Shauna Pravecek and Jordyn Hespe, and great nephew Adam Dodd.
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