Ronald J. Gath

RONALD J. GATH, the son of William and Ruth (Larson) Gath, was born on July 20, 1933 on a farmstead near the mounds in Rock County, Minnesota. At the age of eight years old, he and his family moved to a farmstead in Springwater Township. He attended country school through the eighth grade, and began farming with his dad at a young age.

Ron entered the U.S. Army in July of 1954. He completed his basic training in Texas for aircraft mechanics and was then stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in June of 1956.

Upon his return from the service and getting settled back into civilian life, he made a trip to the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, South Dakota one evening where a young woman by the name of Beverly Stangeland caught his eye. They became a couple and married on May 5, 1962 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. They settled into the family farmstead and welcomed two children, Mark and Nancy. The young family enjoyed traveling and summer vacations. Ron and Bev farmed and raised their two children before moving into Luverne in 1978. He and Beverly visited Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe. They also started wintering in Mesa, Arizona in 1981 and continued to do so until his death.

Dancing was also a big part of their lives. They graced the dance floors of many VFWs and American Legions and Ron's dance card was always full! He enjoyed country western music, morning and afternoon coffee with friends, playing cards, shaking dice in the local pub to see who would buy the next round, relaxing in his recliner and watching Western movies, and most of all, driving around the countryside in his Avalanche pickup(s) and heading out to the farm to see what the guys were doing.

Ron passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 89.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly of Luverne; son, Mark (Leah) Gath of Luverne; daughter, Nancy (Brent) Thiem of Mesa, Arizona; grandchildren, Dalton (Bobbi) Gath and Stetson (Kristen) Gath of Luverne, Anna (Liam) Gath and Austin Gath of Mesa; great-grandson, Ronan Gath, and Gath twins arriving in November 2022. Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Ruth; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arnold and Hazel Stangeland.

The family would like to thank the Luverne Medical Center staff, the Sanford USD Medical Center staff and the Hartquist Funeral Home staff for their help and guidance during this time.

Per Ron's request, no services will be held.

Blessed be his memory.