Ronald Van Den Berg

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Ronald Van Den Berg, 81, of Highmore, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 22, 2024, surrounded by family, at his home after a lengthy illness.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 9, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, with Pastor Shari Schwedhelm officiating.  Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 8, 2024, followed by a 5:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.  Burial will be at the Highmore Cemetery, at a later date. 

Ronald Leroy Van Den Berg, “Ronnie”, was born October 21, 1942, to Marion and Fern (DeGeest) Van Den Berg.  He lived his early childhood in the Ree Heights Hills – the place he talked fondly of as his favorite home.  He joined siblings Dwayne, Arla and Joyce; with Rex coming 10 years later.  His family moved to Sand Point, ID for a short time where he attended school for 1 year.  His parents then bought the Clarence Sampson place north of Highmore.  In 1956, he started high school in Miller, where he lived with Arla and Roy Sechris. Then, from 1957-60 he attended and graduated from Highmore High School.  During this time, he worked at McDonald’s Meat Locker and resided at Mrs. Buchanan’s house.

After graduating he moved to Denver to live with Jan and Dwayne Van Den Berg and worked building windows and doors. He was very successful in a bowling league there. This is where he met and married his first wife, Wanda Bailey.  To this union 5 children were born: Susan, Heather, Marla, Teresa and Curtis.  In 1963, they lived in a trailer house east of his parents’ house in northern Hyde County and then moved to the Anderson’s place for a number of years and worked for Eunice and Harold.  They then moved to a house west of his parents’ place.  In 1982, they moved into Highmore.  

He began work for the Hyde County Highway Department in 1982, becoming the Superintendent in 1989 and retiring in 2007. He served as President of the Association of County Highway Superintendent in 2001-2002. Ronnie was elected as a county commissioner for many years.  He was also involved in softball leagues, the fire department, the library board and the golf course.  The Van Den Berg cousin reunion began with Ronnie’s help.

In September 2005, Ronnie married Vicki (Hofer) Preheim, adding three sons: Chad, Jeremy and Travis to the family.  Vicki was Ronnie’s extremely dedicated caregiver for the last months of his life, for which we are eternally grateful.  

Soft hearted, hardworking, dedicated, loving agriculture, steadfast, headstrong, independent, softball enthusiast, Vikings fans and a good sense of humor are some of the attributes his children credit him as passing down to them.

He leaves behind his wife, Vicki; children and their spouses, Susan (Todd) Yurk, Heather (Kent) Kreutz, Marla (Tom) Durfee, Teresa (Brook) Gravatt, and Curtis (Ariel) Van Den Berg; step children: Chad (Terre) Preheim, Travis Preheim, and Jeremy Preheim; 24 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; his brother, Rex (Cathy); sister, Arla Sechris; sister-in-law, Jan Van Den Berg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Fern; brother, Dwayne; sister, Joyce; brothers-in-law, Roy Sechris and Lane Zeigler; and father-in-law, John Hofer. 

The family would like to thank his doctors, Hospice personnel, and all the help from neighbors and friends.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Ronnie’s arrangements.