Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272108
Title: Ronald K. Obritsch
Date: 4/1/1952-3/11/2026
Inscription/Marks: 4/1/1952
Summary: Ronald Obritsch, 73, of Dickinson, ND, passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on March 11, 2026. Funeral Mass was held March 17, 2026 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Fr. Justin Waltz celebrating. Burial was in St. Pius cemetery, Schefield, ND. Ronald Keith Obritsch was born April 1, 1952, in Dickinson, to Andrew and Viola Obritsch. He lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family and the land he dearly loved. A lifelong farmer, Ron dedicated his days to working the fields and caring for livestock, building not only a livelihood but a legacy of hard work and stewardship. Ron married the love of his life, Georgia Hondl, on June 4, 1975. Together they built a life grounded in hard work, faith and deep family ties. They were blessed with two children, Justin and Tracy, who grew up learning the values of responsibility, resilience, and humor from their father. Ron worked the family farm side by side with his brother Robert, continuing a proud family tradition. Farming was never just his livelihood - it was his passion. He proudly raised barley, oats and wheat and spent many years milking cows before eventually making the decision to sell the dairy cows and focus more on growing the beef herd, embracing a new chapter while staying true to the life he cherished. Ron was deeply committed to stewardship of the land. He served on various boards throughout his years, giving generously of his time and knowledge. His favorite role was serving on the Central Stark & Western Soil Conservation Board, where he worked to ensure that the land he treasured would be protected for future generations. His dedication did not go unnoticed. Ron was honored with the Range Management Award, the Overall Achievement Award and most recently the Farmstead Award - recognition that reflects a lifetime of commitment to agriculture and conservation. Ron was known just as well for his humor as for his work ethic. He had a great sense of humor and was a gifted storyteller. His tales, often stretched just a bit beyond the bounds of reality and with each retelling became just a little grander, later affectionately dubbed "Obritsch Wind" by his grandchildren. Whether around the kitchen table, or out in the yard, he could always be counted on to spin a story that left everyone smiling, shaking their heads, and asking "Now, is that really how it happened?" As health challenges gradually limited his mobility, Ron found joy in simpler pleasures. He especially enjoyed cruising around the farm in his John Deere Gator daily, checking his crops and cattle. Even at a slower pace, he remained exactly where he felt most at home - on the farm. Ron is lovingly survived by his devoted wife, Georgia; his son Justin (Karie) Obritsch and their children Adam, Kyle, Sydnie and Dylan (Westby, MT); his daughter Tracy (Travis) Simnioniw and their children Samantha and Seth (Dickinson, ND). His grandchildren were a constant source of pride and joy, who will forever carry forward his stories, his laughter, and his love of the land. He's also survived by his siblings, Marcella Riecken (Sheridan, WY); Markus (Joan) Obritsch (Dickinson, ND); Harvey (Kathleen) Obritsch (Gladstone, ND); Andrea Hintz (Dickinson, ND); brother-in-law, Larry Fischer (Bowman, ND); Dr. Jerry (Nancy) Obritsch (Bismarck, ND); Wesley (Julie) Obritsch (Lanesboro, MN); Kelly (Dean) Bredeken (Blaine, MN); Mary (Quentin) Smith (Hudson, WI); brothers-in-law, Gary (Charlotte) Hondl (Dickinson, ND), Jim Hondl (Dickinson, ND); and numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Ronald Keith Obritsch will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his devotion to farming, his generous spirit, and the laughter he brought into the lives of those around him. His legacy will live on through the stories that will be told for generations, and by most of all in the family who will forever carry forward his humor, strength, and unwavering optimism. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Richard; sister, Sandy Fisher; brother-in-law, Frank Hintz; and his father- and mother-in-law, George and Grace Hondl.
Red ID: FND_I_79601 Image ID: 556848 Image Notes: FND001 272108

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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