Ronald George Severson, 72, of Miles City died on Friday, March 29, 2013 at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Ron was born on February 26, 1941, in Scobey, Mont., the fourth of five children born to George and Ruth Severson. He grew up on the family farm near Redstone, Mont. As a youth, Ron was active in Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He attended country schools and graduated from Plentywood High School in 1960.
After high school, Ron attended Montana State University at Bozeman in agriculture. In 1960 he entered the U.S. Army Reserve, training at Fort Ord in California. His active duty was at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, and he devoted six years to the Reserve before being honorably discharged as a sergeant.
In 1965 Ron married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Anne Johnson, in Plentywood, Mont. They settled on the family farm, where Ron worked.
In 1967 their son, Allen, was born. In 1969 the couple moved to Great Falls, Mont., where Ron sold insurance and tires before discovering his lifelong career of selling manufactured homes.
In 1970 the couple had a daughter, Marla. In 1973 Ron was transferred to Bozeman to manage a manufactured home dealership. Cheryl stayed home with the children. They lived in the country and enjoyed having horses, goats and a few calves, more for pets than for profit.
Around 1980 the family moved to nearby Belgrade, and Ron continued in sales. He was a truly gifted salesman, spending 30 years selling manufactured homes in the Gallatin Valley and beyond. Several times, he was top salesman in a multiple-state region and earned many awards over his career. He was known for being able to close a deal when no one else could, and truly enjoyed talking to and helping people.
Ron also helped to teach his son the trade. Eventually Allen became a partner in the dealership, and Ron worked for him.
Ron retired in 2009 and the couple moved to Miles City, where his daughter and son-in-law reside. After settling in Miles City, he became a member of First Lutheran Church.
In his heart, Ron was always a cowboy. His rural background showed in his values and his mindset. He enjoyed watching western movies and was a big fan of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. He also had a talent for halter-breaking horses and was a pleasure to watch.
Wherever he went, Ron went out of his way to talk to people and especially enjoyed giving sales clerks a hard time, leaving them with a smile.
He was a very devoted father, attending his children’s various activities and following his grandchildren as much as possible.
Ron was very close to his three brothers and his sister, enjoying frequent phone calls and occasional visits with them. He will always be “Ronnie” to his family.
Over the years he enjoyed collecting western memorabilia, attending garage sales, playing cards, watching rodeo, traveling and visiting relatives.
He was a very upbeat person. When he lost his mobility and later learned that COPD would claim his life, he maintained a positive attitude and stayed active, never losing his zest for life.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Severson.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl Severson of Miles City; his son, Allen (Missy) Severson of Bozeman, Mont.; his daughter, Marla (Casey) Prell of Miles City; seven grandchildren: Jared, Jamie, Tiffany and Jason Severson and Clay, Cole and Cord Prell; three brothers: Vernon (Lorraine) Severson of Great Falls, Mont.; Marvin (Linda) Severson of Redstone, Mont.; and Norman (Neoma) Severson of Williston, N.D.; one sister, Eileen (Raymond) Wittak of Flaxville, Mont.; numerous cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church of Miles City. The church will host a luncheon immediately following the service. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Wake Up & Lace Up Foundation of Miles City, 107 Balsam Drive, Miles City, MT 59301.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday April 3, 2013
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday April 3, 2013
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Becky Stanton says
I am so sorry to hear about Ron’s passing. He was such a neat neighbor when he lived next to us. He always had a neat story to tell. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren visiting. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gene & Vickie Schneidt says
Ron had a terrific attitude and always made us laugh with his stories. We admired the way he dealt with his illness. Not too many people can be as strong as he was. Love and hugs to all of Ron’s family
tina webb says
ron was a joy to have in pulmonary rehab. he could keep you laughing and having a good time. i’m sure saddened to hear of his passing. We are sending prayers of healing to you and your family. We will miss Ron very much.
Sandy says
Please accept my condolences for your loss of Ron. 1 Cor. 1:3 says: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation. If we throw our burdens on God, he will comfort us (Psalm 55:22).
Many find hope in the resurrection (John 5:28,29). We can look forward to seeing our dead loved ones again, including Ron.
May these scriptural thoughts bring you some comfort and hope.
J Johnson says
Dear Family and Friends of Ronald Severson – Please be comforted by promises found in the Bible at this difficult time. Continue to dwell on the happy memories and fine qualities that you remember about Mr. Severson. Death and suffering was not part of Almighty God’s purpose for mankind. Everything that God created was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Sickness and death came to mankind due to Adam’s sin (Genesis 2:17) which made Adam and his descendants imperfect. Because Jesus sacrificed his perfect human life, hope of everlasting life was restored. The Bible promises that death will be done away with (Revelation 21:4). Faith in these Bible promises gives us hope. Please look forward to the joy of again seeing Ronald Severson in perfect Paradise conditions which was God originally purposed for the earth. Faith in these promises will hopefully ease the pain of loss. Meanwhile we have the opportunity to follow Jesus’ instruction to continue to take in Bible knowledge that leads to everlasting life (John 17:3).
James L. Arneson says
Marla, Casey, Cheryl and Family. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad, Grampa, Father-In-Law and Husband. I enjoyed getting to visit with him at one of the boys games. He always carried such a smile and sense of humor. He sure liked to joke about knwing people in high places, when he refered to Casey. I looked forward to seeing his smile and wave, so I could walk over and visit. I am sorry for your loss and have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Eddy and Melissa Adams says
So very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing! He always had a way of making one smile even if having a bad day!! He will be missed! God bless Ron’s family during this time!!
Denise and Jay Harvey says
Marla and family,
Please accept our sincerest thought and prayers in your loss. Ron sounds like a wonderful man. I wish I had been privileged to have known him.
Denise Harvey
Sandra Newman (Bob) says
Dear Family,
I am saddened to read about Ron this morning in the Bozeman Chronicle. He was a
good friend to Bob and we visited him many times when he was selling mobiles. Bob left
this earthly life three years ago tomorrow, and we all look forward to a reunion day when
it is our turn to see our Savior and our loved ones. My prayers are that God will comfort
you, as only He really can. Also for His Peace during this time of sorrow..
Sandy Newman
Fritz Family says
Marla and Family, I am saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. I always was highly entertained whenever I saw him because of the sparkle he had in his eye…especially when I was chasing Jack around one direction or another. He delighted in teasing me. What a wonderful man, and someone to look up to and admire. He never complained but lived life the fullest with a grin on his face. I will miss him at the baseball games. I pray for comfort for all of you.
“Jack’s Mom” aka Karalee, and the rest of the Fritz family
Kandy Newman Seavey says
So Sorry to hear of Rons passing! He was a very special man! We had many visits over the years at Ponderosa and any time we ran in to each other. Always had a smile and always a story to tell! He will be greatly missed! I have missed him since he’s been gone from Belgrade. Wishing all of you peace at this time!
Rick and Avis Rost says
We remember buying our first home from Ron when he was in Belgrade. We moved to Miles City in 2000, and happened to see him occasionally around town. He was a very personable man, and always said Hi. We are so sorry for the loss of this good man, because men like him are hard to find. God Bless the Severson family.
Jason & Brenda Karp says
I will always remember Ron and his positive attitude and infectious smile. We bought our first home from Ron 18 years ago and still live in it today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Tom Petroff says
I am saddened by the loss of Ron, he was a good man. I worked with Ron for years back in the 80’s at Ponderosa Homes. He had a great sense of humor and lived life to the fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Gary & Arlene Christensen says
Our thoughts and prayers are for Ronnie’s family. What a special friend he was to everyone who knew him! Will always remember our Billings visit one year ago.
Cheryl & Milo Olson says
Cheryl and family – am so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing, our sympathy to all.
Deniece Schwab says
Dear Cheryl, Marla, Allen and family,
I used to work with Ron at Ponderosa Homes in Belgrade until we moved to Sidney in 2000. I enjoyed working as the receptionist – Ron had me busy all the time. Ron and I got to visit just a few months ago when I found him a little ankle biter doggie. Cheryl, I hope you’re enjoying that new baby. I am so glad that I got to visit with the old man again, but I’ll always regret the “could have’s, should have’s, would have’s” – because I didn’t get to Miles City for that “upcoming visit”. Darcy C facebooked me to let me know of Ron’s passing. I wish I would have known. I pray for peace in your hearts ~ Deniece
Greg Schraner says
Hi uncle Ronnie miss golfing with you and all of the laughs while doing it.