Funeral services for Ronnie Long, 79, of Timber Lake will be at 10 AM, MT, Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Timber Lake Community Center. Burial will be at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM Sunday at the New Hope Church in Timber Lake.

Ronnie Ray Long 79, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronnie was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1946, at Mobridge Regional Hospital to Kenneth and Maxine (Cudmore) Long. He spent his childhood on the family ranch south of Timber Lake and attended the rural Madsen School through the fourth grade. He often shared stories of riding horseback to school and of being caught in a blizzard with his sister, Myrna, relying on their horses to follow the fence line home safely.

He later attended Timber Lake Public School, graduating with the Class of 1965. Following graduation, Ronnie attended lineman school in Furley, Kansas, through Pratt Community College in Wichita. On January 17, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Lila Faye Ducheneaux.

The young couple made their home in Huron, South Dakota, where Ronnie worked for Beadle Electric for several years. They later returned closer to home, and Ronnie worked briefly for Marshall Lund Line Construction in Selby before accepting a position with Moreau-Grand Electric in Timber Lake. A few years later, he joined his father in full-time farming and ranching. Together they became one of the largest hog producers in South Dakota. When the hog market declined during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ronnie and Kenneth transitioned into cattle ranching. Following the devastating winter of 1996-97, Ronnie eventually joined the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Game, Fish and Parks Department in 2004, where he worked until his retirement in 2013.

Ranching was more than a livelihood for Ronnie. It was his passion and the life he loved. The prairie, with its endless skies and rolling grasslands, was where he felt most at home. He treasured the land, but he especially loved his cattle. Their steady presence gave rhythm to his days and purpose to his work. Across the open range, where the wind carried the scent of earth and wildflowers, Ronnie walked among them not only as their caretaker but as a devoted steward who found deep satisfaction in the ranching life.

Ronnie was a true outdoorsman who loved the peace of camping, the patience of fishing, and the excitement of hunting. The outdoors was more than a pastime to him; it was where he felt grounded, capable, and free,

He also cherished time spent with family and friends. Many Sundays were filled with gatherings at Ronnie’s home, where his daughters, grandchildren, and extended family would come together for cookouts and conversation. He loved cooking and was known for frying fish at family reunions and roasting chicken behind the local Conoco station.

Whether he was fishing with friends, playing cards, or swapping stories about hunting and camping adventures, Ronnie enjoyed every opportunity to share a laugh, a good story, and often a cocktail.

In 2017, Ronnie’s health began to decline when kidney failure threatened his life. Through the generosity of his nephew, Bill Walters, who donated a kidney, Ronnie was given the gift of more time with those he loved. In 2018, he survived a severe battle with West Nile virus. Although he lost 95% of his vision, Ronnie faced the challenge with remarkable strength, determination, and grace. He continued ranching and living life on his own terms until he journeyed home to meet his Lord and Savior.

Ronnie was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was known for his gentle spirit, deep compassion, patience, and forgiving nature. His quiet strength and unwavering love for family will be remembered by all who know him.

Ronnie will be deeply missed by his daughters, Bonita Richter, Rhonda (Gerald) Takes The Knife, and Sheri (Marty) Thompson; his Hunka son, Eric (Abby) Tuckner; grandchildren Jaclyn (Vinny) Richter, Marilyn (Brandon) Myran, Dayton (Tommy) Bry, Justin, Cheyenne, Ronnilyn, Kaycie, Sky, and Alli; great-grandchildren Ridge, Beasley, Millie, and Declan; siblings Myrna Fiddler and Robert (Darshan) Long; sisters-in-law Mary Jane Anderson and Betsy Ducheneaux; brothers-in-law Bill Wientjes, Whitey Keller, Ross Lawrence, and Frankie Thompson; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lila Faye Long; his parents, Kenneth and Maxine Long; brothers Kenneth Long Jr. and Terry Long; sisters-in-law, Delores Ward, Audrey Hagel, Phyllis Gunville, Janice Aberle, Arlyce Wientjes, Sharon Keller, Debbie Lawrence, Bunny Thompson, Butchie Thompson, Hilda Ducheneaux, and Debbie Iron Wing; brothers-in-law, Lyle Ducheneaux, Roman Ducheneaux, Elmer Gunville, Al Aberle, Richard Anderson, Bob Hagel, Dick Ward, and Vincent Thompson.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse