Ronald R. Siffring, age 86, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at his home in Ogallala.
Ron was born on November 13, 1937, in Ogallala, Nebraska to David and Elsie (Holscher) Siffring. His early education was at District 22 in rural Keith County. Ron was confirmed on March 18, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church and graduated from Ogallala High School in 1955. On April 27, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Johnson. They made their home on the Holscher/Siffring family farm southeast of Ogallala. Following Karen’s death in 1976, Ron married Evelyn McDaniel on May 25, 1981, in Bayard, Nebraska.
Ron’s first love was always agriculture! He had a small Grade A dairy before graduating highschool and was a pioneer of irrigation in the south Ogallala area. Due to health issues, he left farming in 1985 and began a second career in the insurance business, retiring from it in 2016. Ron was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving in multiple officer positions and on a multitude of committees. He was a charter member of the Ogallala Big Mac Kiwanis, a two-term board member of the RSVP, a member of the Gideons, and instrumental in starting and serving as co-chair of the Brother’s Keeper program in Ogallala. Ron served in the National Guard, as Keith County Commissioner from 1983-86, and was a two-time recipient of the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award in 1972 and 2014.
He operated Ron’s Farm Shoppe out of his home for many years, using his gift of floral arranging for countless weddings, funerals, and other special occasions. An avid gardener, Ron provided floral arrangements for church every Sunday when blooms were in season. His talent to decorate a room, be it with flowers or anything not tied down, guaranteed smiles and comments!
Ron was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who had a servant’s heart and spirit to volunteer on a moment’s notice to help family, friends, and his community.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen; infant son, Rex; his twin brother, Don; and his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; children Lori Baier (Chattanooga, TN), Kathy (Tom) Powell (Fayetteville, NC), Bruce Siffring (Lincoln, NE), Gary (Carol) McDaniel (Seward, NE), Neil (Peggy) McDaniel (Wray, CO), and Rollin (Gayle) McDaniel (Arvada, CO); brother Alvin (Connie) Siffring (Truth or Consequences, NM); 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grand children; many nieces and nephews, and so many friends who became family.
Visitation will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, southeast of Ogallala, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Albert Bader and Rev. Travis Ferguson of the Christ Lutheran Church, La Mesa, California.
Internment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.
While Ron passionately loved sharing fresh flowers, he also felt strongly about the giving of memorial gifts. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to the Lutheran Hour Ministries: 660 Mason Rdg Ctr Dr. Saint Louis, MO 63141.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.
Services will be live-streamed on www.drauckerfh.com.
Online condolences may be sent by going to www.drauckerfh.com.