Obituary: Ronald "Ronnie" Twiss

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 3:00 PM (Mountain).

Interior Fire Hall
Interior, South Dakota

Interment

Interior Fairview Cemetery
Interior, South Dakota

Visitation

One hour prior to the funeral service at the Fire Hall in Interior.

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In memory of

Ronald "Ronnie" Twiss

of Interior, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 72

Ronald F. Twiss was born on March 10, 1948 to Charles and Pearl (Stirk) Twiss at St. John’s Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. He attended grade and high school in Interior and graduated in 1968.

In December 1970 he was united in marriage to Connie Bruhn in Martin, South Dakota. They were married for 49 years.

Ron worked for the Badlands National Park from 1971 until he retired in 2004. Some of his fondest memories were fighting wildland fires in California, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and Washington state, especially with the marines. One of his favorite jobs was working at Philip Livestock Auction. He loved the comradery of the guys. Watch out guys he is watching you!!

Ron was a county commissioner and a grade school basketball coach and referee. He was active in the Interior Rodeo Club and was a board member for Jackson County Soil Conservation. He ranched South of Interior with his family for many years. In 2000 Ron was named maintenance employee of the year for the Midwest region of the National Park Service. After park service he worked with private contractors fighting fires in Montana.

Ron was very energetic and always busy. He had an unique sense of humor and was always teasing. He loved researching local history, metal detecting, and enjoying antiques.

Survivors include his wife Connie of Interior; one son Calvin Twiss; one daughter Amanda (Shawn) Wessel; a grandson named Cash who he adored; two sisters Verona of Interior and Gertie (Frank) Barber of Rapid City; a special grandson Jake; his sidekick dog named Boomer; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Charles Twiss and Eddie Jones.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the Fire Hall.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Interior Fire Hall, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Interment will be at the Interior Fairview Cemetery.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - 3:00 p.m.
Interior Fire Hall
Interior, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney

MUSIC
Liz Fischer - Vocalist
Lonny Johnston - Guitarist
“Green Green Grass of Home”
“Go Rest High on That Mountain”

USHERS
Tony Grimes - Dusty Leach

PALLBEARERS
Joe Amiotte - Shannon Gartner
Galen Livermont - Rick Johnston
Tommy Harty - Chuck Schulz

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Interior Fairview Cemetery
Interior, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

My condolences to the family. I always felt a connection with Ronnie because of his friendship with my dad. He was a great guy with an even better sense of humor. I got to hang out with him quite a bit when he would open the weight room in the auditorium so we could lift and shoot hoops after school. I can still picture the twinkle in his eye and half smirk after he got me with a one liner! ~ John Riggins Mount Hope, KS (3/21/2020)
MT ~ Darrell James Cook Joliet (3/19/2020)
Thinking of you guys so very much today although I can not be with you. Knowing that the battle has been long but the journey of a thousand great memories brings smiles to help wipe away the tears. Hugs and prayers for you all. ~ Denise Perryman Isabel (3/18/2020)
Connie and Family, I learned allot from the years of working with Ronnie at Badlands, He was not only a coworker but a true friend and neighbor, one thing for sure with Ronnie around there was never a dull moment, he will truly be missed, Your family is in our thoughts and prayers ~ Jay and Roxanne Vogelgesang Wanblee SD (3/18/2020)
May Gods arms hold you and say hello to my dad and mom. I have so many memories of Uncle Ronnie growing up on the ranch and how much Dad loved you. The sun will always shine bright letting your family know you are watching over them. Rest in the Heavens Ranch. ~ Bea Jones Rapid City, SD (3/18/2020)
Sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. He always had a great disposition and able to help. Working at the Badlands, playing softball, and many wonderful memories. We last a good one. ~ Tim and Peggy Lester Austin, TX (3/18/2020)
We all miss Ronnie's tricks and humor but his memory will live on I ur hearts. ~ Carole Curtis Ipswich, SD (3/18/2020)
My deepest sympathy. May GOD provide you strength to remember the happy times . ~ Joyce Jobgen (3/18/2020)
Ronnie was a good friend. I will sure miss him. I can't make it to the service in Interior, but our prayers go out to the family and friends.
~ Roger Kruse Rock Springs, Wyoming (3/17/2020)
My condolences to the Twiss family. I got to know Ronnie at Badlands National Park. He was a hard worker, knowledgeable, and a really good leader. He had a great sense of humor that made the workplace better. He was honest and forthright. I greatly admired him. I hope the family cherishes their memories. ~ Brian Kenner Philip (3/17/2020)
I am so sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing, A truly fine neighbor with his friendly, helpful ways. Prayers for you, Mandy, Calvin and grandkids. ~ Carmen One Skunk Eagle Butte, SD (3/17/2020)
Sorry for your loss, my prayers for you, Mandy and Calvin. We'll miss him. ~ Judy Whirlwind Horse Eagle Butte, SD (3/17/2020)
Sorry fore your loss. Ron was a true and dear friend. Sorry I won't be ablate make the services but my parys are with you. ~ Lyle Amiotte Rapid City SD (3/17/2020)
Connie & family,
My sincere condolences for your loss. I only knew Ronnie through the clinic, but he always had a kind word and was always friendly. Blessed be! ~ Kelly Penticoff Philip, SD (3/17/2020)
My condolences, thoughts and prayers during your time of loss. My days with Ronnie at Badlands National Park was a great, he kept things fun and enjoyable...especially during wildland fire operations. He will be truly missed and was looked up to by a lot of people. ~ Ken and Loree Thompson Wall, SD (3/17/2020)
So very sorry for your loss, my mom, Bobbi Kelley, always spoke so highly of her neighbors Ronnie and Connie. May the peace of our Lord be will you all. ~ Jody Kelley Rapid City, SD (3/17/2020)
So sorry for your loss, I pray you will find peace in all the good memories and God will comfort you in this difficult time. ~ Pearl Bruhn Napavine Wa (3/17/2020)
I am so sorry for your loss. . . Praying for strength, guidance and healing in the difficult time ahead. Ronnie was a great man and will forever be alive through his memory. Connie, Calvin, and Mandy . . . You had one of the best thats for sure. ~ Kristen Bouman White River, South Dakota (3/17/2020)
My deepest condolences to Connie, Calvin, Mandy and the entire Twiss family. I hope the passage of time will dull the sharp edge of your grief. Ron probably didn't know it but he was like a big brother to me. I hung on his every word. He was a natural born leader. During fires, floods, storms, accidents, wrecks, searches, rescues, buffalo roundups, or just the everyday chaos of life in and around Badlands Park; I would always think: "Oh good, Twiss is here, we got this". Ron left me a voicemail last week, including a joke about me needing hearing aids. That voicemail is now one of my most valued possessions. I will hold it close, along with all the other memories of this unusual, remarkable man. His passing feels like a gut punch. But I think I know what Ron would say: " Pick yourself up, get back in the saddle and keep riding forward". Rest in peace my good friend. ~ Dan Dearborn Biddeord, Maine (3/17/2020)
My condolences to the Twiss family, Ronnie will be well missed, he was always happy and joking around with everyone. He always cheered a person up, no matter what the problem. I have many fond memories of Ronnie. ~ Kori (Hill) Grass Rapid City SD (3/17/2020)
Im so sad to hear this news. Ronnie was one of my main male role models growing up. My first basketball coach and years later always there to listen. Every Tuesday he entered my store with a smile and a funny remark.. ill miss him greatly.. ~ Lacey Logan Thorson Philip SD (3/16/2020)
We were so saddened to hear of Ronnie's passing. He was a wonderful man & he will be greatly missed. May God wrap his loving arms around you & the family, and may you find peace & comfort in his loving arms. ~ Russ & Barb Logan Interior/Philip, SD (3/16/2020)
My condolences go out to the Twiss Family, my thoughts & prayers are with you during this sad time. May you be comforted by Gods loving arms as you face the difficult days ahead. ~ Vera Boje Rapid City, SD (3/16/2020)
I do not have one memory of Ronnie when he was not happy and smiling. He made the world a better place. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Shannon Grooms Oglala, SD (3/16/2020)
So sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. He was a good man with a firm hand shake and a smile on his face. Condolences to the family. ~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Martin, SD (3/16/2020)
Connie and family,
We are sad to learn of your loss. The time that Glen spent on the Jackson County commission getting to know Ronnie was a lasting friendship. He was one of a kind. He always had a good word and smile. And I know he will be spell checking all of these messages. ~ Glen & Rose Bennett Philip, SD (3/16/2020)
Prayers going out to all of the family. ~ Jennifer Eberly Wall (3/15/2020)