Ronnie Lee Songer, Sr.

A funeral service for Ronnie Lee Songer, Sr. was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Dallas American Legion in Dallas SD, with Pastor Tonweya Sherman officiating. Pastor Gary Jacobsen and Rudy Escamilla assisted. Music was provided by Judy Sherman, pianist. Chelsea Medrano and Toby Weber were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Aaron Blackthunder, Dakota Songer, Lakota Songer, Jon Parshall, Blake Friedricks, and Darius Blackthunder. Honorary casket bearers were Janet Parshall, Melvin Songer, Myron Songer, James Songer, Harold Songer, Brett Klinger, Maria Songer, Dawn Songer, Stacey Foote, Leonard Boyer, Kelly Boyer, RJ Boyer, Kaden Boyer, and Donald Songer.

Ronnie Lee Songer was born on January 29, 1966, in Rosebud, SD, to Leonard and Avelncia “Joanne” (Cloudman) Songer. His birth certificate was baby boy Songer until after Ronnie got married, but in school he was Ronald or Ronny. He changed it to Ronnie. His siblings were Janet, Melvin, Myron, Maxine, Arlene, James, Harold, and Arnold.

Ronnie went to school in Winner until the eighth grade. He worked at Grossenburg’s and D & E Salvage. Ronnie also had his own small engine repair business in Dallas.

Ronnie married Donna Hart on August 30, 1990, at the Winner Courthouse. To this union four children were born: Ashley, Ronnie Jr, Dakota, and Lakota. Ronnie and Donna lived in Winner, then Colome, and in 1990, they bought a house in Dallas.

Ronnie enjoyed small engine repair—lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, golf carts, and four wheelers. Ronnie and Donna always took several kids in their home as well as elderly and disabled family members.

Ronnie was diagnosed with diabetes in 1999. He struggled with his diabetes and lost one leg in 2014 and the other in 2024. Ronnie was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in November 2022. He was patiently waiting to get his artificial legs but that did not happen.

Surrounded by his family at his daughter’s house, Ronnie passed away February 15, 2025, at the age of 59.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Joanne; sisters Maxine and Arlene; brother Arnold; aunts and uncles Iola, Kenneth, Donald, Dale, Lester, Calvin, Leonard, Velda, Wayne, Melvin, Charolette, Larry, Keith, and Geeneva; brother-in-law Dave Parshall; sisters-in-law Jackie Songer and Mavis Songer; nieces and nephews Aimee, Arnold Jr, Avelneia, Gavin, Michael Boyer, and Lenard Boyer; father-in-law Charles Hart; and uncles Babe and Mervin.

Ronnie is survived by his wife Donna; four children Ashley Songer (Brandon), Ronnie Songer Jr, Dakota Songer (Toby), and Lakota Songer (Chelsea); grandchildren Bentley, Oakley and Kingsley Mc-Daniel, Brynlee and Harmony Songer, and Ayden Eckoff; foster children Emily, Jayden, Gavin, Braylen, Jordon, Shandra Stas, Sally Eagle Star, Tim Songer, Emilo Bordeaux, Alize and Jessica Millard, Ronnie Taylor, Caeden Boyer, Brett, Emma, Candace, Veronica, Germaine, Nick, and Samantha Songer; one aunt Leota Story; and siblings Janet, Melvin, Myron, James, and Harold.