Ronald Gierhart, 62, of Quinter, KS, died Wednesday, February 23, 2022.
Ron was born March 11, 1959, in Fort Worth Texas, to Judy Tolson. He
lived in Fort Worth with his mother and brother Kenny until his mother
married Jim Gierhart. They then moved to Colorado. Where he lived and
grew up with his family, including his two new siblings, Morris and
Charlyn, until he was eighteen. He participated and excelled in High
School Rodeo throughout his high school years having numerous
Championship buckles and trophies. He graduated from Florence High
School in 1977.
Ron was married on June 4, 1978, and this union was blessed with two
children, Roy and Kari. He enjoyed teaching and coaching Roy when he
decided to rodeo. He later loved having Roy help around the property
saying sometimes you just need a son’s help. Ron spent many joyous hours
hunting with Roy and his granddaughter Abby and purchased her a 22
rifle for Christmas.
Ron moved to Benkelman, NE where he met the love of his life, Jamie.
They were married May 30, 2015. He resided south of Benkelman NE with
Jamie and his stepdaughters, Harlee and Mary, until he and Jamie
purchased a small property near Quinter KS. Ron was living on this
property until his passing.
During his life, Ron worked as a crane operator and an iron worker which
took him all over the United States. He was given the opportunity to be
involved in the work at the Royal Gorge. He also worked as a Cowhand at
several ranches, and feedlots during his life. One of his favorites was
the Snake Creek ranch in Nebraska. When he moved to Quinter he started
seasonal work for Jeremy Reidel, then took a full-time job with Kirk
Zerr. He continued to help Jeremy when needed, often trading hay for
labor.
Jeremy and Ron once needed to doctor some cattle and took off across the
pasture with a loaded dart gun on an ATV, it all worked out okay, but
Jamie refused to have anything to do with the endeavor knowing that
someone other than the cattle would end up tranquilized.
He enjoyed grilling for his family and friends and was very accomplished
at smoking meat for parties and celebrations. He enjoyed watching the
girls show their horses and helped Jamie repair a small cart when she
decided they needed to have a donkey cart.
He loved working with his small herd of beef cattle, even when Jamie
introduced spots when they were all supposed to be black. He battled to
keep the fence up when they decided the grass was greener on the other
side. He enjoyed helping Jamie with her little herd of dairy cattle,
even though he mocked her unceasingly about them.
He took great joy in teaching his nieces Elizabeth and Victoria to
improve their riding and helping them show cattle at the Gove County
Fair. He loved showing his niece Charlotte around the farm, letting her
help with the new calves and riding the old rescue Donkey. He found a
partner in Harlee, working side by side on fencing, and the health care
of the animals. Ron and his stepdaughter Mary, while not always seeing
eye to eye, enjoyed cutting wood for the fire fishing and camping when
time allowed.
Ron is survived by his wife Jamie; step daughters Harlee and Mary; his
son Roy and granddaughter Abby, of Benkelman, NE; daughter Kari and
numerous other family and friends.
No services are scheduled at this time. Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, is handling the arrangements.