Ronal L. Chewakin, 86 of Spearfish, South Dakota died Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis, South Dakota. Born September 26, 1938, in Blackduck, Minnesota, he was the son of Arthur L. Chewakin and Eleanor L. Jacobson. They moved to Minot, North Dakota in 1950 where he graduated from Minot High School in 1956. Upon graduating, Ron enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at Newport, Rhode Island. He served three years active duty aboard the U.S.S. Waccamaw (AO 109).

In 1960 he married Dianne M. Heisler in Minot, North Dakota. Shortly after they moved to San Carlos, California where Ron worked for Litton Industries and where their daughter, Kimberly was born in 1961. They returned to Minot and in 1964 their son Todd was born.

Ron started off his career of entrepreneurship by opening two restaurants in Minot named Trails Inn. He truly loved running his own businesses.

In the early 80's he moved to Beulah, North Dakota where he managed the local Eagles Club. In 1985 he moved to Spearfish, South Dakota and opened another establishment of his own.

On September 13, 1992, he married the love of his life, Myrna R. Gilman. After they were married, he worked at the Spearfish Middle School from 1992 until he retired in 2001.

Some of his hobbies through the years were baseball, hunting with his Dad, bowling, golfing (he had three hole-in-ones), shooting pool, fishing, and camping. Ron loved living in the Black Hills and together him and his wife camped and fished from the legendary Missouri River to hidden gem lakes in South Dakota. In 2001, the two of them together experienced an Alaskan trip of a lifetime. They traveled 8500 miles from South Dakota to Alaska and back, camping and fishing along the way. He was very proud for the two of them to have been able to undergo such an incredible adventure, leaving them with so many treasured memories!

Ron is survived by his wife, Myrna of 32 years; children: Kimberly (Todd) Meier of Beulah, North Dakota and Todd Chewakin of Las Vegas, Nevada; stepson's: Shane (Michelle) Gilman of Phoenix, Arizona and Rick (Didianne) Gilman of Houston, Texas; granddaughters: Brittney Aanderud and Brook (Blake) Smith; step-grandchildren: Tanner, Kyle, Brontë, Aliya and Kelton Gilman; great-grandchildren: Caiden, Callen, Cashden, Harper and Blazely; siblings: Trudy (Lynwood) Valor of Sugar Grove, IL; Sheralyn Tedeschi of Sarasota, FL; Melonia (Bruce) Wahl of Pierre, SD; Marc (Jeff) Chewakin of San Antonio, TX; and several nieces and nephews.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents; brother Mike Chewakin; grandson Blaze Unruh; and nephews Micheal Chewakin and Chip Valor.

A Celebration of Life and Interment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery at 3:00 pm on July 11, 2025.

In memory of Ron, the family is asking for memorials to be made to Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com