Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar, Kansas. Inurnment will follow services in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Damar.
Memorial visitation will be Tuesday August 4, 2020 6 PM - 8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7 PM all at St. Joseph Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the wishes of the family and may be made payable to Virginia Thyfault and may be mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements in Care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Ronald Louis Thyfault, 91, died in his
home surrounded by his wife of 69 years and family after battling
coronavirus for 10 days. His last hours were filled with prayer and
singing, two of his favorite pastimes. For a man who survived many
careless stunts, it was often said that the Heavens were not ready for
his spunky spirit, quick wit and never ending chain of one-liners. In
the end, no one could resist his bright smile, warm heart and charm. On
July 15th, 2020, he was finally called home. We can’t blame them for
wanting to bring his loving spirit and warmth to join his parents, Louis
and Jeanette (Thibault) Thyfault, and his brother Mose Thyfault and
sister Teresa Benoit. His surviving sister Germaine, will have to wait
here with the rest of us.
Ronald was born May 19, 1929. He
married Virginia Arpin (surviving) June 12, 1951 in St. Joseph Catholic
Church, in Damar, Kansas. Together they lived in Damar building a life
around farming and family. His years were filled with milking cattle,
raising horses, farming and a lot of wine making, with the patent on
wheat wine. We can’t forget his love of sports, any and all sports. He
was known as an athlete in his younger years and that passion carried on
to his last days. The Chiefs winning the superbowl for the second time
in his life was icing on the cake. Ronald didn’t know a stranger, he
could talk for hours with anyone. Those who knew him for a minute or a
lifetime were likely called some endearing name such as big butt,
squirrel or smelly.
As a father, he taught his nine
children diligence and hard work. His ways were often blunt and sharp.
As a result, we grew thick skin and a strength of character to stand and
think for ourselves. In his era, he witnessed the civil rights and
women's rights movement. He was progressive beyond his time. A father to
numerous daughters, he instilled in us that we could do anything and
that there was no such thing as man's work or women's work at the farm.
We all worked.
Ronald taught all of his children --
daughters and sons alike -- to farm, repair machinery, and to be
independent and headstrong. (Some may say he taught that a little too
well.) In his ruggedness, however, he was not too big of a man to comb
and braid a little girl's hair. He lived most of his life as a very
strong and active man. He softened greatly as his body began to fail. He
said “I love you” and “thank you” sincerely and often. He was extremely
grateful for the love, caring and companionship that he was given. He
often said and fully embraced the words “Thy Will Be Done” as he put his
faith in God to guide him in life and us, as we cared for him in his
last years.
Ronald and Virginia together had nine
children all surviving: Rhonda Anderson (John) of Grand Junction, CO;
Lois Wolf (Richard) of Loveland, CO; Anita Strecker (Delvin) of Salina,
KS; Cheryl Dempsey (Justin) of Schoenchen, KS; Lisa Thyfault (Bryan
Donaldson) of Scottsdale, AZ; Ronald P Thyfault (Dawn) of Plainville,
KS; Kevin Thyfault of Towanda, KS; Melani Ward (Barry) of Belaire, KS
and Amy Normandin (Brent) of Hays, KS. His family includes his
granddaughter Nicki Lind (Mike) of Hays, KS along with a total 31
grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren and two more on the way.
Due to Ronald’s COVID-19 status as well
as several in the family recovering from the virus a private gathering
was held July 16th.
Arrangements in Care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]