The Spirit of Ronald Gengler, 82 of Spearfish, left his earthly body June 17, 2014. He was born April 29, 1932 at home in Lead, SD to Rose (Carroll) and Joseph Gengler. He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School and graduated from Lead High School. His first job at age 8 was a post-peeler in Pluma for 5 cents a post. At 9 and 10, Ron sold coke with Bat Carlavoto in the area stores and bars. From ages 10 to 15, he spent summers herding sheep in Ekalaka, MT. It was during this time, he learned to play the harmonica, which he enjoyed doing the rest of his life. Ron could be seen during his teen years caring for the fairways at the Lead Country Club, delivering papers on one of his five routes and later working as an apprentice in the Red Owl Meat Department. He was a Golden Glove Boxer and active in the Lead Operetta. He and brother Ted, helped their uncle, Dick Pond, clear cut the first trail on Terry Peak in the early 1940's.

Ron met Marianna Froley, the love of his life, in Biology Class. He remembers dropping a frog down the back of her shirt. They married on February 14th in 1953. Ron also started his 38 year career as a machinist with Homestake in 1953. In 1958 they moved to Spartan Drive in Spearfish. Ron worked 17 years, part-time, as a welder for Bill Justice and several years making jewelry for Jim Langer. He was a projectionist at the Vita and Cine theaters and in his spare time raised bees and fish with Wayne Lindstad.

Ron passed his love of gardening, cooking, hunting and fishing to his children. He and Marianna were Foster Parents and raised Shelties. Ron was in the National Guard for 12 years, a member of the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce and in the Knights of Columbus.
After Ron retired, he started making stained glass windows, lamps and 3D objects. He and Marianna delivered Meals on Wheels and worked at the Food Pantry for several years. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a trip to Ireland and enjoyed many travels with friends.

The past few years Ron and Marianna enjoyed breakfast with long-time friends every Tuesday. They also met monthly with their 1951 and 1953 graduating class members for lunch.

Ron is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marianna; daughters, Katherine Killoren, her children, Ron (Aubrey) Hoard, Sara (Jim) Hadd and Jacob Halverson; Debra Wilder, her children, Chad, Katy and Nicole Wilder; Michelle Zocco, her children, Lisa, David, Mikaila and Austin Zocco and Sarah Gengler; sons, Joel (Carol) Gengler, their children, Sommar (Jon) Nelson, Tiffany (Paul) Graf and Patrick Gengler; Christopher Gengler, his daughter, Erika; great-grandchildren, Aydin and Ronan Hadd, Donald Webb, Kellen and Jackson Wilder, Andrew, Aiden, Valorie and Eliesia Nelson, Andersen Jastorff-Gilles, Ryan, Haylee and MerciAnne Graf and Liam Topper; sisters, Barbra (Bob) Harvery, Vickie Dower; brothers, Ted and John (Barb) Gengler and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, David, Steve and Joel; sister, Rosemarie; sister-in-law, Ann Gengler and brother-in-law Lawrence Dower.
The family will be receiving friends and family from 5-7 PM, on Thursday, June 19 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM, Friday, June 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Memorials have been established to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Spearfish Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.