Ronald Tomac, age 66, longtime Keldron, SD, area rancher, passed away at home, Wednesday afternoon, January 17, 2018.

Mass of Christian Burial for Ron will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon, SD. Fr. Charles Zins and Deacon Bill Dustman will officiate with burial in the Hillside Cemetery at Morristown, SD.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

A rosary/vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, January 22, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.

RONALD GREGORY TOMAC was born June 2, 1951, at the Lemmon Hospital to Tom and Grace (O'Donnell) Tomac. He was the youngest of six children. He grew up on the Tomac Ranch south of Keldron, SD. Ron attended Highland View Country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1969. After that, Ron returned to the ranch to work alongside his Dad, Tom, to help manage the day to day operation.

While attending a St. Patrick's Day dance at the Morristown Hall, he was instantly smitten when a friend introduced him to a new girl, who was attending the dance for the first time. It did not take long to find out that the feeling was mutual. Soon after they began dating.

Ron and Raeanda Ellen Krausz were united in marriage on November 24, 1972, at St. Mary's Church in Lemmon, SD. Ron and Rae returned to the ranch and for the next forty-five years, they worked side by side building a life they loved. On November 12, 1973, they were blessed by the birth of their first son, Gregory Thomas. God's blessings doubled at the birth of son, Allen Raymond, on October 26, 1974. The sun also rose and set with the birth of two daughters, Ronette Anne, on December 7, 1977, and Nicolette Ellen on November 23, 1979. Their family was then complete.

In the fall of 1979, Tom and Grace retired and moved into Lemmon, SD. Ron and Rae then took over the running of the ranch. As their children grew, they also helped out with all the daily workings of the ranch. After New Year's of 1993, Ron also began to help his Uncle Lloyd "Boots" O'Donnell with cattle ranch work. Ron was his uncle's right hand man for the next eighteen years, until Boots retired in 2011. Always glad to get the opportunity to earn extra money, Ron started driving freight truck for Lewis Truck Lines two or three days a week in the fall of 1992. He delivered to all the small towns between Mobridge and Camp Crook. He took the job over from his retiring father-in-law, Richard Krausz. Ron drove truck until 1996.

In 1994, Ron began to run cattle with Nick Nehl. For the next twenty-three years this arrangement continued until the fall of 2017, when Ron's health caused him to dissolve the partnership. Ron spent his entire life tending and caring for the land and livestock that he loved. He was proud to have passed this love of the land and family onto his children. He was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church in Morristown, SD.

Ron passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a courageous ten month battle with a rare cancer.

Keeping him in their fondest memories are his wife of 45 years, Raeanda, Keldron, SD; one son, Greg, Keldron, SD; two daughters, Ronette (Jason) Lutz, Lemmon, SD; Nicki (Teryl) Lensegrav, Meadow, SD; daughter-in-law, Nicci Tomac, Webster, SD; nine grandchildren: Alayna, Livia, Logen & Elyssa Tomac, Webster, SD; Tevyn, Kieren & Maiken Lutz, Lemmon, SD; Emery & Ruby Lensegrav, Meadow, SD; his mother, Grace Tomac, Lemmon, SD; two brothers ,Lee (Dorothy) Tomac, Keldron, SD; Jerry (Marcia) Tomac, Blackhawk, SD; three sisters, Marilyn Hayes, Litchfield, MN; Bonnie Miller, Taylor, SD; Betty (Dale) Jung, Fargo, ND; father-in-law, Richard Krausz, Lemmon, SD; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tom Tomac, on October 31, 1993; his son, Allen Tomac on May 31, 2010; mother-in-law, Iva Krausz on October 30, 2011; brother-in-law, Bill Miller on September 6, 2014; brother-in-law, Marvin Hayes in June 1980.

A memorial has been established.