Ronald W. Proefrock, 86, of Nisland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at the Monument Health Hospice House in Rapid City, SD, with his wife, Virginia, and son, Daniel, near him.
Ronald was born November 13, 1933, in Hamburg, ND. He was the son of the late Alfred and Lillian (Simonson) Proefrock.
He attended grade school at a country school. When he was 12 years old, he and his siblings were placed in foster homes. He lived with his foster parents, the late Harold and Jo Braeger, on a farm south of Fesseden, ND, where he completed his eighth-grade education. He worked on a farm and also had the opportunity to become an accomplished singer. He often sang at local events, weddings, and later enjoyed singing in a barber shop quartet. He could sing a spine-chilling Lord's Prayer with great emotion. He enjoyed doing yard work, helping others, and attending family sporting events.
He met his wife, Virginia (Neumiller), in January of 1958, and they married July 18, 1958. To this union, six children were born; Daniel, Peggy, Janeen, Sarah, Robert, and Rickey. They lived on a farm south of Fesseden, ND, where they raised turkeys and milked several cows. Later, he began working in oil fields near Watford City, ND. In 1964, the family moved to South Dakota to work on a dairy farm near Nisland. He later worked as a heavy equipment operator for American Colloid in Belle Fourche until he retired. He suffered a stroke in December of 2017. After that time, his health continued to decline.
He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Virginia; his children, Daniel (Susan), Peggy Loup, Janeen Proefrock, Sarah Proefrock, Robert "Bobby" (Lisa Tripp), and Rickey (Debbie); eleven grandchildren, Matt (Angelica) and Mike (Shannon) Loup, Blake (Jordan) Proefrock, Ronald Baker, Chandler and Julianne Razo, Lisa (Andy) Sihrer, Amanda (Matt Altner) and Erica (Alex Hamaker) Proefrock, and Reece and Katelyn Proefrock; and six great-grandchildren, Spencer and Trevor Proefrock, Mila and Nadia Loup, Wyatt Baker, and Jack Sihrer; one brother, Marvin (Remy); one sister, Charlotte (Art) Skiftun; half-brothers, Duane (Linda) Kaul, Ray (Joy) Kaul, and Larry (Lorraine) Kaul; foster brother, Phillip (Pat) Braeger; foster sister, Lynn O'Hare; and very special friends whom he considered part of his family, Steve (Bonnie) Parker.
He was preceded in death by his natural parents; his foster parents; brothers, Franklin, Leroy, Robert, and Orris; and sister, Betty Washington.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, beloved pets, and all others that knew him.
No services will be held at this time.

A memorial has been established.