HIGHMORE, SD –

Ronald Heckenlaible, 91, of Highmore, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at his home where he wanted to be.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore, Father John Short, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 27, 2023, followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Ronald Arlen Heckenlaible was born May 24, 1932, at the Weber home in Highmore SD to Gottlleb Jr. and Harriet Velma (Sunding) Heckenlaible. Ron first lived on the farm they called “Little American” because there were no close neighbors. Ron cried a lot the first year, now we all know where Ronnie Allen got that from. The family goose didn’t like Ron when he was little and chased him and gave him a scar on his knee that dad just showed me a week ago.

Ron moved to the place just two miles south of Highmore where he grew up helping with chores and riding his horses, Buster and Hazel, to check cows. He would help shuck corn too. That is how he met his good friend, Jim Brady, because his dad hired Jim to help.

When Ron was in junior high, his family sold enough cows to buy the place up the hill 3 miles south of Highmore and bought a 24×24 house later to put on it.

Ron met the love of his life, Betty Kusser, at a dance at the Hyde County Auditorium. Betty was dancing with another guy when dad grabbed him and pulled him away from Betty. Ron and Betty danced the night away. The next day, Ron took Betty and some of her friends to Lemmon, SD in his dad’s new car. That didn’t go over so well with his dad because he really put on the miles. It was just the start of many trips together. Ron graduated from Highmore High School.

Ron Heckenlaible and Betty Kusser were married on July 20, 1953, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Stephan, SD. Ron and Betty had five children: Steven, Cynthia, Mary Lee, Ronnie Allen, and Gary.

Ron worked on the ranch raising cows until the 1976 drought. He then went on to farming, raising wheat and sunflowers. Ron also got into stripping bluegrass. Now that was a nasty job. Ron also did custom baling and baling for our cows. He baled with his Allis Chalmers baler pulled by his WD 45 Allis Chalmers tractor. There are many stories of us kids having to turn and tie those round bales. Ron baled for Jennings and Houk’s Buffalo ranch. Ron also helped his dad run the Tap Room bar in Highmore and later bought it after his dad died.

Ron and Betty would buy and sell campers. Ron also worked for Hale’s Plumbing, grinding hay, worked on the courthouse, planted trees for the county, helped build the church, hauled machinery for Pioneer Garage, and later Betty would help him deliver cars for Pioneer Garage. When mom retired from teaching, they went on lots of road trips. And we all know how much he loved being pulled to Highmore on his John Deere H tractor by mom.

Ron loved to stop out and visit his friends at Hall’s and talk to the “Boss” and the rest of the workers. He would also stop at Pioneer Garage, the grocery store, and other places in town to visit with his friends especially after mom was gone.

Ron was a member of St. Mary’s Church and Knights of Columbus.

Ron’s memories and love will be cherished by his children: Steve (Sally Swanson) Heckenlaible of Aberdeen, SD, Cindy Meinen of Mitchell, SD, Mary Lee (Mark) Klebsch of Holabird, SD, Gary Heckenlaible of Rapid City, SD; seven grandchildren: Bob (Samantha) Klebsch of Lake Mills, Iowa, Ethan (Lenai) Heckenlaible of Ft. Pierre, SD, Cody (Hope) Heckenlaible of Hudson IA, Jeremy (Angela) Meinen of Box Elder, SD, Jared Mienen of Mitchell, SD, Brittney (John) Heckenlaible of Phoenix, Arizona, and Roland (Tina Cherokee) Heckenlaible of Brea, KY; seven great grandchildren: Avah and Sophia Klebsch of Lake Mills, IA, and Addysen, Hayden, and Landen Heckenlaible of Ft. Pierre, SD, Roni Heckenlaible of Hudson, IA, and Cayden, Rai Rose, and Levy Elizabeth Heckenlaible of Bea, KY; daughter in law, Jo Anne Heckenlaible of Ft. Pierre, SD; and many family and friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents: Gottleb Jr. and Harriet Velma Heckenlaible; son, Ronnie Allen Heckenlaible; grandson, Jesse Klebsch; son-in-law, John Meinen; and many more family and friends.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Ronald’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net.

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