Ronald Dee Funk

Ronald Dee Funk of Aurora, Colorado, passed away at the age of 80. He was born in Ness City, Kansas to Roy Henson Funk and Elva Mae Funk. He was the second of 3 sons born to this family with Floyd Louis being the first and Gary D. being the third.

In Ron's early years, the family moved to Colorado, and after a short stay in Colorado Springs, they settled in Strasburg where he spent the rest of his childhood until graduating from Strasburg High School in 1959.

His main passion in life was carrying on the family tradition of farming. He worked alongside his dad and brother on the farm throughout his youth, and in his later teens was able to purchase his first piece of farmland out near Cabin Creek.

After graduation, he went to work at The Gates Rubber Company in Denver. In 1960, he married Beverly Faye Wilson and to this union two sons, Roy E., and Lonnie R., were born.

While working at Gates and raising a family, he continued to commute back and forth to Strasburg to stay connected with the farming.

In 1975, he married Marianne Cook and helped raise her two sons from a previous marriage, Mike and Jim, until Marianne passed in 2013.

Ron continued to add land to the farming operation and eventually was able to quit Gates after a 16-year career and farm full time. His main area of pursuit was the land which comprised the Carlson Place south of Last Chance. He commuted back and forth several times a week from Aurora where he made his home with Marianne. He eventually was able to semi-retire and his sons took over the day to day operations of the farm. He remained involved by making trips to the farm to make sure things were getting done correctly.

Although his love would always be the farm, he had hobbies and interests that he and Marianne shared over the years. His hobbies included collecting coins, farm toys, and old tractors that he would have restored. He enjoyed bowling where he and Marianne were members of bowling leagues for many years. He loved going out to eat and always enjoyed listening to country music from the 50's and 60's. They attended church at Bethel Lutheran in Aurora.

Being avid travelers, Ron and Marianne made several trips to Las Vegas. Ron always looked forward to finishing up with the wheat planting in the fall so they could take a trip to Branson. He would return to his birth city of Ness City, KS as much as possible where he would attend the Old Settlers' Reunion that occurs every five years. He made a trip to Hawaii with several other family members and really enjoyed taking cruises. He and Marianne took several cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico over the years.

Ron is survived by his brother, Gary D. and his wife Sherry; two sons, Roy E. and his wife Linda and Lonnie R. and his wife Donna; two step-sons, Mike and Jim Arnbrecht; three grandchildren, Clinton, Clayton and Sophia; eight step-grandchildren, Ryan, Jared, Lawrence, Veronica, David, Leah, Eric and Athena; seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Wesley, Easton, William, Ethan, Bella and Chloe and five step-great-grandchildren Nolan, Troy, Sierra, Elena and Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy H.; mother Elva Mae; brother, Floyd Louis; wife Marianne and step-grandchild Noah.

Ron lived his life the way he wanted to with his family and farming and will be missed by his family and friends.

Forever remembered and always in our hearts, our Brother, Father, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa.

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