Ronald Bowar

View Ron's Recorded Memorial Service

Ron Bowar, 62, of Faulkton, SD, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer at his daughter's home in Iowa.

Memorial Service was held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 13, 2020 at the St. Lawrence Community Church in St. Lawrence, S.D. with Pastor Jason Watson officiating.

Well, this is that thing that everybody reads at a funeral while they’re waiting for something to happen.

So Ron was a good guy, not perfect but he was kind, giving and steady. His life got started at the hospital in Faulkton, SD. According to a bill of sale in his baby book, delivery etc. was less than $100. Wow! Chuck and Vonnie got a good deal. Yes, he was born July 8, 1957 to Charles and Yvonne Bowar.

Ron grew up on the farm. He did love farming, even though he managed to have a few crazy accidents and injuries. Like falling out of the haymow. And in his opinion, pulling his ball cap down over the huge goose egg on his forehead should have gotten him past his mom. And it might have if his sister, Cindy hadn’t tattled on him.

Ron learned how to work hard doing all sorts of jobs on the farm. He was his dad’s right-hand man. He drove the tractor before he could reach the pedals. Cared for animals, did 4-H, and picked rock —ok, who ever came up with picking rock??

Ron liked sports and was ever competitive. He liked basketball, baseball, and tennis. And oh my, the pictures from his yearbooks...it was the era of short shorts—it was quite the fashion statement. And the word fashion and Ron probably shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Unless plaid is a fashion. Somehow, he felt plaid hid various oil spills. Let’s just say laundry involved a lot of prewash and BIZ. Whether the oil came from his 14-year stint as a Test Engineer at Caterpillar Tractor Company or after that, farm life.

Ron tripped over a girl when he was a senior at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City. He decided she was worth the hassle of keeping and married Susan Thompson on September 1, 1979.  Peoria Illinois became home, and he was grateful for Caterpillar insurance paying for the birth of his three gorgeous babies: Erin, Shannon, and Breann.

But farm life was in his blood and when the folks were ready to retire, he wanted to move back to the farm. Whoa! What an adjustment for his females! But God blessed Ron’s work and Ron praised God.  Ron had accepted Jesus as his personal savior in 1981 and purposed to live for Him.

For 25 years, he played farmer. And he was good at it.  But he knew any harvest was from the Lord.  “Retirement” came early.  God had one more job for him to do.  The job of not being in control—of being a patient.  Being cared for rather than being the caregiver.  It wasn’t really easy for him.  Cancer and a stroke did a number on him, but not his relationship with Jesus.

Ron was loving Jesus and his family to the end.  And we are excited that we know where he went.

Thanks for taking the time to be here.  May God bless you!

Surviving Ron is his wife, Susan, his co-conspirator for 40 years, 309 days.; daughters: Erin, the one that made him a dad; Shannon Schuler (Brandon), the one that convinced him a horse was a necessity; and Breann Schulz (Jason), the one that proved life really was close to a Disney musical. And THE grands! Lydia and Charlie Schuler. Everly and November baby Schulz; his parents, Charles and Yvonne (Venjohn) Bowar; siblings: Cindy Ketterling (Terry), Tim Bowar (Kelly), Maureen Nusz (Tim), and Brian Bowar; several nieces and nephews; and brother and sister in-law, Tim and Carol Thompson.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Leo and Isabel Bowar, and John and Lenore Venjohn; a baby born too soon; and his in-laws, Wayne and Aneta Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Sunshine Bible Academy and Fellowship of Christian Farmers.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Ron's arrangements.