Ronald E. Treiber

Ronald E. Treiber passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, with his family and caregivers at his side. 

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in Alcester, South Dakota, with Pastor Penny Nance officiating. Lunch will follow at the Alcester Event Center. Private family burial will follow the lunch at the Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, also at the United Church of Christ in Alcester. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, Iowa is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

 Ron was born on January 7, 1941, to parents Walter and Evelyn (Wasser) Treiber. Ron and his three younger sisters grew up on a farm southeast of Hawarden, Iowa. He graduated from Hawarden High School and Morningside College with a degree in business and livestock marketing.

Ron married Rebecca “Becky” Brown on February 14th, 1964. They were blessed with two children, Brian and Tricia, and years later the joy of 4 grandchildren, Jonathan, Kory, Katy and Madison. Ron’s family was the most important part of his life. Together Ron and Becky were their children and grandchildren’s “biggest fans” following all of their activities and sporting events. Family vacations with Brian and Terri, Tom and Tricia and the grandchildren brought many lasting memories, especially the family Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Ron began his career in the pork industry in Omaha, Nebraska with Wilson Packing Co. and was later transferred to the Cherokee, Iowa plant. In 1970, after moving to Alcester, SD, Ron opened his own feed and seed business “Ron’s Farm Supply.” He soon began a 50-year career as a buyer for Supreme Packing Co. He bought hogs from farmers in the area and later Hutterite Colonies in South Dakota and Montana. He developed great friendships with people from Supreme and also the colonies. 

Ron was active in the Alcester community, serving on the Alcester-Hudson School Board for 12 years. He was a devout Christian, active as a member of the Alcester United Church of Christ. He served on many committees, helped with meals on wheels and the Alcester-Hudson backpack program. He didn’t allow ALS to stop him from being chairman of the church stewardship committee. Ron also belonged to two coffee groups, one in Alcester and later one in Beresford. These men not only enjoyed coffee time but collected money that went to students’ needs at school or other local charities. 

Ron loved people and wanted to know about their life. It really didn’t matter where they came from or how successful they were, he just wanted to hear their story, and he would listen. His favorite phrase was “tell me about it”. He found the perfect volunteer job at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Everyone there had a story to share, patients, families of patients, or workers, and Ron would listen. He had a God given gift of touching the lives of others.

Ron and Becky retired to Beresford in 2016, making new friends and enjoying time with friends developed over their lifetime together. The circle of life continued as they became great- grandparents. This gave Ron another reason to fight harder in his journey with ALS. Ron has left his family a legacy of unconditional love, generosity, faith, humility, and kindness for all.

The last years of Ron’s life were spent at home where he desperately wanted to be. With the loving care of Becky, family, friends, and neighbors, Ron did his best to take one day at a time. The family will be forever grateful for the excellent care given by Avera Home Hospice staff, Alisa Knutson and all the other health care providers that were part of Ron’s journey.

 Ron is survived by his wife of 60 years Becky; their children, Brian (Terri) Treiber and Tricia (Tom) Diefendorf; grandchildren, Jonathan (Dylan) Treiber, Kory (Brook Benes) Diefendorf, Katy (Joseph) Kirkebak, and Madison (Kaimana) McCreadie; great-granddaughters, Jamie Jane Kirkebak, Kollynns Marie Diefendorf, and Charlie June Treiber; sisters, Karen Vock and Cindy (Jim) Lynott; brother-in-law, Brian (Ann) Swift; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

 Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Evelyn Treiber; sister, LeAnn Swift; Becky’s parents, Benjamin and Betty Brown; brothers-in-law, James Vock and Benjamin “Bud” Brown; nephew, Jeff Vock; and great-nephew, Eric Curiel.