Donald Ring

A funeral service for Donald Eugene Ring was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Methodist Church in Winner, SD, with Pastor Ron Snethen officiating.

Kathy Nicholas accompanied the congregation on the piano for several selections, and Geoff Smith performed How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone as a soloist. Candy Cahoy and Lisa Forgey were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Wyatte Stick, Jackson Kinzer, Jace Heath, Terrance Kinzer, Jed Snyder, Lance Ring, Darren Ring, Cordell Ring, and Darin Byrnes. Honorary Casket bearers were Dave Cahoy, Dave Witt, Brian London, Roger Dice, Bob Heath, and all of Don’s card-playing friends.

Interment was at the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD, with military honors conferred by the Colome American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Don was born January 8, 1945, to Gus and Erlene (Bertram) Ring in Winner, SD. Don grew up in Tripp County in the Millboro and Colome area. As a young boy, Don worked for various farmers in the area, including Howard Heath of Millboro and John Welsh, Keyapaha, SD. Don’s family moved several times during his childhood, so he attended several rural schools in southern Tripp County. Don attended Colome High School his freshman year and then joined the military; during that time he received his GED. Don served in the military from 1964 to 1966 during the Vietnam Crisis, stationed at Fort Bragg, serving as a Sergeant. After returning home from the military, Don worked for several of his uncles.

In 1967, Don married Jolene Stritecky, and to this union four children were born: Brian, Lexi, Brent, and Andrea. Don continued to farm and raise hogs with his brother Merle while working at the Winner Sale Barn on Fridays. Later, Don took a job as a substitute rural mail carrier. Meanwhile, a full-time job with the Rural Mail Carriers Association opened up in Spearfish, SD, which Don accepted, moving his family there. It was at this time that Don’s marriage to Jolene dissolved.

In 1996, Don married LaVonne (Sharkey) Harter, and following that, a rural carrier position became open in the Colome area, which Don accepted and returned to Colome to continue his job as a Rural Postal Carrier. Don thoroughly enjoyed his job carrying mail and servicing his customers in the rural Colome area.

After moving back to Colome, Don became very involved with the Colome American Legion. Don served as Commander from 1984-85, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. He continued as a volunteer to fill in wherever and whenever needed, taking on the responsibilities of ordering, cleaning, and scheduling events. Don sponsored many fundraisers for the Colome American Legion. He was awarded the Modern Woodmen Volunteer of the Year and received many awards and recognitions from the Rural Mail Carriers Association. He also served as a member of the Colome Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

In 2009, after having a minor operation which resulted in a lengthy hospitalization, Don was forced to retired from his job as a Rural Postal Carrier.

Don enjoyed socializing with friends and playing cards and attending family and grandchildren’s events. He and LaVonne enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, playing pitch, and traveling.

Donald E. Ring passed away on September 9, 2025, at Avera Cancer Institute in Sioux Falls, SD, from a very rare form of cancer. Don is survived by his spouse LaVonne; children Brian (Shelia) Ring, Onida, SD, Lexi (Kevin) Heath, Onida, SD, Brent (Karman) Ring, Colome, SD, Andrea (Dan) Nelson, Elk Point, SD, Carrie (Brian), Vancouver, WA, Linda Kinzer, Winner, SD, Christi and (Don) Hughes, Spokane, WA, and Roxie (Steve) Smith, Cheney, WA; grandchildren Lyndsey and Cordell Ring, Aspen, Saige, and Jace Heath, Jordyn Ring, Morgan Stick, Wyatte and Emily Stick, and Elise Nelson; several great-grandchildren; sisters Margaret (David) Rupert, Joann (Zane) Snyder, and Carol Lilly; brother Merle; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Gus and Erlene Ring, a brother-in-law Roy Lilly, and sister-in-law Kathy Ring.