 Ronald L. Keegan, age 73 of Yankton passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post 3791 of Yankton. Visitations will be from 6:30-9:00 PM, Friday, January 18, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with a 7:00 PM rosary followed by a 7:30 PM scripture service. Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton is in charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers will be his Grandchildren: Kevin Keegan, Kyle Keegan, Katie Keegan, Kody Keegan, Kelsey Keegan, Eric Hefner, Tyler Keegan, Bryce Keegan, and Nathan List. Honorary pallbearers will be area farmers/ranchers and all of his great friends.
Ron was born on April 15, 1934 to Ruth (Keegan) Blachnik in Scotland, South Dakota. At the young age of 12, Ron learned about hard work when he started washing buses. His love for cattle then led to his employment at the North Yards. He was united in marriage to Arliss Lane on October 25, 1956 in Lesterville, SD. He entered into the United States Army serving his country from January 15, 1957 to January 14, 1959 then transferring to the USA Corps (Reserve) USAR Control Group until January 14, 1963. After his Honorable Discharge, Ron returned back to the North Yards to work for a short time when he decided to buy his own truck and haul gas for the CO-OP. His heart then took him back to working with ranchers and cattle beginning his career of 35 years with Stockmen's Livestock. He then continued on with his career joining Yankton Livestock working for Larry Ryken until his retired. The Livestock Barn was then sold to the Heine family and they talked Ron out of retirement for a few years. Ron was the Past President of the South Dakota Cattleman's Livestock Association. He enjoyed volunteering with the American Legion with delivering groceries, fishing, playing cards such as Pitch and Poker and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He was very proud of his large donation of blood at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. But most of all, he loved the Lord in many ways. Ron was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Elks Lodge, and the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791.
Those who will miss him dearly are his children: Greg Keegan and his fiance, Wendy Johnson of Madison, SD, Marty Keegan and his girlfriend, Jamie Eldred-Roy, Ken (Debbie) Keegan, and Jodi (Brad) List, all of Yankton, SD; brothers: Buster Keegan of Lawton, IA, Don Bartholomew of Aurelia, IA, Frank Blachnik of Sioux City, IA, and Jim Blachnik of Omaha, NE; his sisters: Carol Barnes of Sioux City, IA and Elizabeth Blachnik of Sioux City, IA; his special friend, Glendora Wieseler of Wayne, NE and her family; his stepfather, Art Blachnik of Sioux City, IA; 9 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Arliss, his mother, Ruth Blachnik, and mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Alma Lane.
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