RONNIE FISCHBACH

   The memorial service for Ronnie Fischbach, 79, of Mansfield, SD, will be 10:30am, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, with Father Michael Kapperman officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD. Ronnie passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by family.

   Arrangements by Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.

Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Edward Fischbach was born November 20, 1943, to Paul and Margaret (Kittlesland) Fischbach in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on the family farm near Warner, SD. In school he played basketball and graduated from Warner High School in 1961. If you ever heard his stories about growing up, it was hard work, but he never missed out on his fair share of amusement with siblings and friends.

   On June 13, 1964, Ronnie was united in marriage to Sharon Dunker at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Together they raised six children on their family farm along the county line near Mansfield, which was the site of Duxbury. Ronnie instilled the same values in his kids that he grew up with – work hard, use common sense, and don’t miss out so you have some good stories to tell.

   Ronnie was a farmer and trucker at heart. During his farming years, he had a crop spraying business and a cattle trucking business. No matter what he did, he was never late – being an hour early was never early enough for him. When he was younger Ronnie played softball, bowled on several leagues, was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed attending Minnesota Twins baseball games, hunting, and playing cards. He was part of the Oahe Irrigation Project which took him to Washington D.C., and he served on the Warner school board. Ronnie continued with farming and trucking in the area until his health forced him to retire in 2019.

   Ronnie’s greatest pride was his grandkids. His favorite way to spend his time included attending their activities, eating out with them, and sharing stories about them. His retirement hobbies included morning coffee at the Travel Plaza, playing Pinochle with friends, and driving around to see what was going on in the area. He always wanted to see who was in the field first – whether it be for planting, spraying, or harvesting.

   If you knew Ronnie, you knew where he stood on things, and you looked forward to his entertaining stories and comments. He could visit with anyone and was usually willing to help everyone. If he could have told you good-bye, his words would have been “It was nice knowing you”. Ronnie will be greatly missed but never forgotten and he will be spoken of often.

   Grateful for having shared Ronnie’s life are his wife: Sharon Fischbach; his children: Wayne (Kim) Fischbach, Brian (Shelley) Fischbach, Mike (Becky) Fischbach, Amy (Chad) Heim, and Eric (Stephanie) Fischbach; his grandchildren: Adam Fischbach, Kristin (Tonee) Ektnitphong, Halle Sieve, Abigail (Cole) Baloun, Caitlyn Fischbach, Quintin Fischbach, Chelsea (Eric) Swenson, Josie Fischbach, Bailey Heim, Brooke Heim, Chesnie Heim, Chase Heim, Stratton Heim, Patton Caldwell, Blake Fischbach, Joe Zvonek, Katelyn Zvonek, and Owen Zvonek; and his great-grandchildren: Koa Ektnitphong, Sutton Swenson, and Baby Baloun due in August.

   He is survived by his siblings: Marge Fischbach, Art (Marlette) Fischbach, Paul (Dawn) Fischbach, Bob (Kathy) Fischbach, Mary (Jim) Brink, Ed (Joelle) Fischbach; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

   Preceding Ronnie in death are his oldest son Jeffery Fischbach, his parents Paul and Margaret Fischbach, and his father and mother-in-law Albert and Geraldine Dunker.