Funeral services for Ronald Longbrake, 75, of Mobridge will be 10:30 AM, MT Thursday, Dec 23, 2010 at the Congregational Church in Dupree. Burial will be in Dupree City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM, MT with a prayer service starting at 7 on Wednesday at the Congregational Church. Mr. Longbrake passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010 at his house in Mobridge.

Ron was born October 22, 1935 in Dupree, SD to Marietta (Bridwell) and Delbert W. Longbrake, of Dupree, SD. He was the fifth of eight children. As a youngster, he was always on horseback, from the time he could crawl on the back of one. He and his brothers enjoyed racing horses against each other.

He graduated from Old Cheyenne Agency in Pierre in 1955. He went to school and became a journeyman welder. From 1955 to 1960 Ron worked in various jobs and spent time on the trail rodeoing. In 1960 Ron enlisted in the Army to serve his country. After spending a tour in Germany, he was honorably discharged August 31, 1964.

In 1962, he married Carol Lynn Coleman, together they had three children Ronda, Robbi and Guy. In the early years of their marriage, the couple moved to Los Angeles, CA and later to Ogden, UT before moving back to South Dakota. Ron worked in Eagle Butte, SD for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Facility Management for 27 years from 1967 to 1994. He was very mechanical and enjoyed the technical work that it took to keep everything running. He retired in 1994. In 1996, he moved to Mobridge.

Ronald had a great sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. He had a quick wit and liked to use it! Football was something else he enjoyed. He particularly liked the Broncos, but most of all, Ron was a cowboy. One of Ron's great pleasures in life was owning horses. He rode horse from the time he was a little boy. Saddle bronc riding was the event that he enjoyed the most. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others and in the early 70s he built a mechanical bronc that he would load into the back of his El Comino and take around to help others learn how to ride. He also enjoyed team roping.

With the purchase of a racehorse in the early 70's named Peace Train, his attention turned from the rodeo arena to the race track. He raised several good race horses before getting out of the business. Ron still had horses up until he was 67 years old when he sent his last horse, Rain Train, to live with his granddaughter, Ryder. Nothing could make Grandpa Ron smile like the site of one of his grandchildren. He had seven of them, and he spoiled each and every one! He was a devoted Gramps and always had a hug and a stick of gum for them. His grandchildren are his honorary pall bearers. Ron was a spiritual man and found comfort in the Lord.

He is survived by his three children Ronda Longbrake-Gilbert, Luther, OK, Robbi Longbrake (Daman Heitz), Newell, SD, and Guy (Kim Goehring) Longbrake, Worthington, MN. His grandchildren, Taylor Gilbert, Ryder and Ashley Heitz and Nicolette, Peyton, Kennedy and Brady Longbrake. His brothers Pete Longbrake, Dupree, and Jamie (Beverly) Longbrake (El Reno, OK), and sister June (Don) Gray, Albequeque, NM
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary and Delbert, his brothers Jack Longbrake, Jerry Longbrake, Bill Longbrake and sister Jean Dillabaugh.