Harold R. Ronning, 85, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at his home in Alcester, SD.  Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, January 30 at Wass Funeral Chapel, Alcester, SD.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 31 at Roseni Lutheran Church.

Harold was born on the family farm, near Nora, SD, on April 13, 1936 to parents, Edgar and Mabel Ronning.  He was the proud big brother of Marlys, Melvin, Marlene and Mary Jo.  He went to Nora Country School through 8 ^th grade and then attended high school in Alcester.  After graduation in 1954, he served in the South Dakota Air National Guard for six years.

On March 1, 1958, during an ice storm, Harold married the love of his life, Marydell Larson at the Alcester Baptist Church.   Together, they had three sons, Randy, Ryan and Regan.  Harold was proud to raise his boys on the farm.  From a young age, Harold loved to help his dad on the farm and often told stories of how he got started raising sheep and cattle.  He enjoyed raising livestock and took much pride in his farm near Nora.  Harold was blessed to do what he loved his entire life with his brother, Melvin, and his three sons.

Harold was known for his sense of humor, he loved attending his children and grandchildren's sporting events and activities, reading western books, watching RFD-TV and sports, meeting up with the Arlene's Coffee Club group, and visiting with his friends and family.

Harold often told his family and friends that his favorite place was Harding County in western South Dakota.  He would say, "I would much rather spend time on top of a butte in Harding County than any city like Sioux Falls or Sioux City".  Harold enjoyed visiting the Price Ranch for his many livestock buying trips, attending the Black Hills Stock Show, and of course stopping at Al's Oasis in Oacoma for some pie.  Harold and Marydell also enjoyed their trips to Alaska and Branson.  Oh the stories that were told of their adventures!  Harold was blessed to be able to take one last trip to the Black Hills and the Price Ranch this past July with his family whom he loved and adored so much.

Harold enjoyed volunteering and being involved in his community.  Harold was a life-long member of Roseni Lutheran Church.  Through his life, he enjoyed being part of the Roseni Church Council, Roseni Cemetery Board, Alcester School Board, Union County Farm Mutual Insurance Board, Morningside Manor Board and the Alcester Lions Club.  You could always find Harold selling pie at the Alcester Lions Club booth during the Union County Fair.

Harold is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marydell; sons, Randy (Diane), Alcester, SD, Ryan (Lisa) Alcester, SD and Regan (Tami), Sioux Center, IA; grandchildren, Kristi (Brent) Sporrer, Sioux Falls, SD, Kim (Brian) Sweat, Seffner, FL, Justin (Katrina) Ronning, Gibbon, NE, Jessica (Jacob) Korzeniewski, Medford, WI, Zach Ronning, Vermillion, SD and Emily Ronning, Vermillion, SD; ten great-grandchildren, Hailey, Carson, Eli, Riley, Ava, Paige, Jax, Gannon, Renn and Ree; his siblings, Marlys (Richard) Stensaas, Sioux Falls, SD, Melvin (Doreen) Ronning, Alcester, SD, Marlene (Mike) Bryar, Marietta, GA and Mary Jo (Brad) Kruse, Manson, IA; brother-in-law, Donowan Larson, Alcester, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Mabel Ronning; sister-in-law, Marlys Larson: niece Tristen Larson Merriman; and great-nephew, Nolan Ramthun.