Ronald L. Soenksen

PIERCE — Services for Ronald L. Soenksen, 72, Pierce, will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 28, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce. The Rev. Gordon Bruce and Vicar Jonathan Torreson will officiate. Burial will be at the Bancroft City Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of the arrangements. He died Sunday, July 23, 2017, at Stanton Health Center in Stanton. Born July 30, 1944, at Bancroft, Ronald Lee Soenksen was born to Mynhardt E. Soenksen and Cora (Leimer) Soenksen. He was baptized on Aug. 20, 1944, and confirmed April 6, 1958, at Zion Lutheran Church at Bancroft. He attended Bancroft Public Schools and graduated in 1962. He then attended Norfolk Junior College, Wayne State and then went to Kalamazoo Michigan for his master’s degree in mathematics. His first teaching job led him to Pierce, where he taught for over 35 years. He also helped coach football, receiving several awards, including assistant coach of the year in 1988. Ron enjoyed carpentry, and he built and remodeled several homes through the years. He also loved fishing with his buddies, attending grandchildren’s various activities, including sports and traveling with family and friends. Ron married Joyce Schomberg in 1970. Three daughters were born to them: Melissa, Paula and Laura. On Aug. 31, 2002, Ron married Patricia Ladely at Zion Lutheran Church. He then acquired another family, as Pat had four grown children of her own and two grandchildren. Survivors include his spouse, Patricia Soenksen of Pierce; daughters Melissa (Jason) Macklin of Roca, Paula (Tony) Siske of Norfolk and Laura (Chris) Thompson of Omaha; stepchildren Amy (CL) Bellew of Hershey, Wade Ladely of Bridgeport, Wyatt (Stephanie) Ladely of Valentine and Kristi Ladely of South Sioux City; 10 grandchildren, Grace Macklin, Blake Macklin, Clare Macklin, Toryn Siske, Tenyson Siske, Audrey Thompson, Landen Thompson, Harper Lange, Kyle Bellew and Audrey Bellew; his mother, Cora (Leimer) Soenksen of Pender; a brother, Lyle (Karen) Soenksen of West Point; and a sister, Flora (Terry) Larson of Lusk, Wyo. He was preceded in death by his father, Mynhardt Soenksen; his brothers-in-law, Charles Sokol and Ronnie Johnson; and a nephew, Travis Schwartz. Organist will be Dottie Ahlers and congregational hymns will be “How Great Thou Art,” “Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Casket bearers will be Tony Schwartz, Rodney Schwartz, Wade Ladely, Wyatt Ladely, Chris Thompson, Tony Siske, Jason Macklin and Larry Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Duane Spale, Greg Warneke, Mark Brahmer, Donrel Herbolsheimer, Larry Hoefener, Boyd Blomenkamp, Gerry Gdowski, Rick Sirek, Dick Zierke, Chuck Micek, Rob Andrews and Chuck Shores. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Ronald L. Soenksen

July 30, 1944 - July 23, 2017