Ronald Brossart

Minot

Ronald Brossart—-71, Minot, ND, and Sun City West, AZ, died Friday, January 20, 2023.

Ronald F. Brossart, son of Valentine and Alice (Walter) Brossart was born August 18, 1951 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, ND. He died at the age of 71 years on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Elison Assisted Living Center, Minot, ND, surrounded by his loving family.

Ron grew up on the family farm north of Rugby. He attended Little Flower Catholic School where he began his lifelong loyalty to his Catholic faith. He was active in wrestling and FFA while at Rugby High School, graduating in 1969. Following graduation, he went to Lake Region Junior College at Devils Lake for two years and continued his education at NDSU graduating with a Agricultural Economics degree in 1973.

During his youth, Ron loved the farm and being out in the field. Driving tractors and swathing during harvest were his specialties. Being the oldest of nine children, he was responsible for many chores and childcare, which formed him into a good big brother for the duration of his life.

While attending college at NDSU he was an active member of the Farmers Union Co-op House and became a loyal Bison fan. He joined the Flying Club at NDSU and eventually got his private pilot license.

After college Ron started his professional career with USDA/FHA beginning in Wahpeton, continuing on to LaMoure, Rugby, Stanley and finally Minot. He was county supervisor for many of those years and also detailed to the national office in Washington DC. His career with USDA spanned over 37 years. Upon retirement he started spending winters in Sun City West, AZ and summers working with his brother farming their land. He also spent time at his homes at Lake Metigoshe and Minot.

Ron very much enjoyed sporting activities. Some of his loves were curling, bowling, softball, co-ed volleyball, pickleball and golf. Ron was an avid bicylist. He participated in many CanDak bike tours, Biking the Border, along with many other biking adventures out of state. Ron also loved downhill skiing, adventuring to many ski resorts throughout the US and Canada. He had planned trips for this winter also.

In earlier years, Ron was very active in Jaycees earning many awards including the Jaycee Ambassador and Senator recognitions. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus with a 4th degree accomplishment. Currently, he was vice president of the North Dakota Club and the Ski Club in Sun City West.

Ron was also a very frequent traveler. He traveled to almost all corners of the planet which are too numerous to mention. In 2015, Ron fulfilled his father’s lifetime dream by traveling with him to visit their ancestor’s homeland of Ukraine. From this adventure, Ron developed a keen interest in the family’s ancestry especially the Germans from Russia history. Ron became very

involved in the Heart of America Germans from Russia group at the Prairie Village Museum in Rugby. Ron’s parents had wishes to build a Germans from Russia building at the museum, and Ron was instrumental in carrying out those wishes. The dedication of the new building was celebrated in October 2021.

Ron lived a full and active lifestyle that was always embedded with his deep Catholic faith. He had the utmost respect for relationships with his family and friends. He treasured family gatherings and was sincerely happy and proud of everyone’s achievements. His compliments were generous and heartfelt. Ron appreciated God’s beauty found in nature. He spent countless hours admiring sunrises and sunsets, and found joy in the details of mountains, lakes, prairies, and oceans. He had a keen awareness of the glory of each season, wherever he may be. Some of Ron’s last spoken words were “I hope I made a difference” and “I did the best I could”. May we all strive to follow in Ron’s footsteps by showing kindness and love to each other.

Those who have shared in his life are his siblings, Richard (Jane) Brossart of Rugby, Robert of Rugby, David (special friend Brenda) of Minot, Carol (Dale) VanEckhout of Bismarck, Char (Bill) Hartl of Rugby, Allan (Meryle) of Rugby, Colleen (John) Karels of Fargo, and Brian (special friend Cindy) of Rugby. Nieces and nephews, Connie (Dion) Oscarson, Callie, Mia and Tatum, Kyle (Jen) Brossart, Kylie and Carter, Casey (Mariah) Brossart, Tyson, Jaden (Janelle) VanEckhout, Brendan VanEckhout, Kristen VanEckhout, Allison Brossart, Arron Brossart, Samantha Wurgler, Bobby Hartl, Rachael Hartl.

Those who greeted him in heaven were his parents, grandparents, and infant sister and niece.

Visitation: Friday, January 27, 2023 from 5 until 7 pm at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot

Vigil Prayer Service: Friday, January 27, 2023 at 7 pm at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11 am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be accessed by going to Ronald’s web page at www.thompsonlarson.com

Burial: will take place in the spring of 2023 at Little Flower Catholic Cemetery, Rugby, ND

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 24, 2023.