Ron R. Ryken

** Click weblink above to view video tribute **Ronald R. Ryken, age 57 of Belle Fourche, passed away Tuesday October 18th, 2011 at his home, from natural causes. A visitation will be held 5 to 7 pm Sunday with at 7pm public prayer service at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 11am Monday October 24th, 2011 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish, with Pastor Jeff Dilks officiating. Burial will take place at the Gayville City Cemetery, in Gayville SD. Memorials are preferred to the Children’s Hospital. Ronald Ray Ryken was born April 6, 1954 in Yankton, South Dakota. He was the son of Derald and Helen (Peterson) Ryken. He was the third of four sons. Ron grew up on a family farm near Gayville where he attended a country school. In 1972 he graduated from the Gayville – Volin High School. Following his graduation, he attended school in Sioux Falls where he received his certification as a Court Stenographer. For more than 30 years, Ron served the SD Judicial System as a Court Reporter. During these years he served Judge Leslie R. Hersrud, Judge Robert L. Tschetter, and Judge John W. Bastian while living in the Lemmon, Deadwood, and Spearfish areas. In 1987, Ron's greatest joy in life was born; his son Ryan. In 1992 he settled in Belle Fourche, where he has lived since. On June 27, 2008, Ron was united in marriage to Della Brockel. Ron retired in December of 2010. Ron will be remembered for his great sense of humor, and how he enjoyed fast cars, playing his accordion, and games such as cribbage, backgammon, and pinochle. He also enjoyed landscaping work, whether it was in his yard or a friend’s. Most of all, Ron loved his wife, son, and family. He was a devoted husband, father and friend. Although Ron had many health issues he always said “these were the cards he’d been dealt”.  He never complained and always cherished each moment of the life he had been given.  He was an inspiration to each life he touched. Ron is survived by his wife, Della of Belle Fourche; son, Ryan of Belle Fourche; mother, Helen Ryken of Gayville SD; brothers, Gary (Gloria) of Lincoln NE, James (Margo) of Gayville SD, Brian (Laura) of Gayville SD; 3 step-children, Chad (Mary) Wells of Lincoln NE, Shannon (Jessica) Wells of Atwood KS, Kelsie (and fiancé Baily Simons) Feist of Howes, SD; 5 step grandchildren, Hunter, Grant, Jackson, Kaylyn, and Sawyer. He is also survived by his mother and father in law, Elmer and Fern Brockel of Lemmon SD; and brother and sister in law, Belinda (Todd) Christman of Lemmon. IN LOVING MEMORY Ron Ryken Date of Birth April 6, 1954 – Yankton, South Dakota Date of Death October 18, 2011 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota Funeral Service 11:00 A.M. – Monday – October 24th, 2011 Our Saviors Lutheran Church Spearfish, South Dakota Officiant – Pastor Jeff Dilks Special Music “Come to Jesus” – Debra Leverington, SoloistSunshine on My Shoulder”(Recorded) Recessional Hymn #592 – “Just As I Am” Honorary Casketbears All family and friends, Ken Barker   Nolan Barker   John Bastian   Scott Hunter Scott Montgomery   Bruce Thiewes   Tim Vanderheide Active Casketbearers Dave Dringman   Bob Hellevang   Marlin Mulloy  Dale Munyon  John Nelson   Dean Schaeffer   Rick Sperry Dan VanSickle Inurnment Gayville City Cemetery – Gayville, South Dakota