Ronald B. Burthold, age 78, resident of Pekin, ND, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at his home near Pekin.
Ron was born in Sharon, ND to Miles and Astrid (Johnson) Burthold on June 25, 1945, their first wedding anniversary, something Miles liked to take great credit for! He was the first grandchild born to F.H. and Clara Burthold so spent many days with them. He grew up in the town of Pekin, freely roaming with his dog Schepp and bb gun. As he grew older, he spent time working on his grandparents’ farm, playing sports, attending and graduating from Pekin High School in 1963 as Valedictorian. He attended college in Chicago for one semester on a scholarship. But city life did not suit him and he returned to ND and continued his education at North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau playing basketball and majoring in Botany. Ever an adventurer, he went to “the last frontier” with friend Sheldon Halvorson for a summer. He returned to Alaska and eventually was hired by the Anchorage Fire Department. He was drafted and entered military service in the Army, serving in Viet Nam beginning in May, 1967, the beginning of the Tet Offensive. He returned to work on the Anchorage FD until he retired in 1986.
On June 14, 1971, he married Alice Marie Tocktoo in Anchorage, Alaska. Together they raised Shirley and their family grew in love with the additions of Shane Herbert “Tavish/Shane the Pain” and Darci Michele “Miss no no pie/Pumpkin” to their family. When the marriage dissolved, Shirley, and Ron’s sister Peg helped care for Shane and Darci until he met Charline “Lulu” Evalani Kamai. The two were married on Feb. 1, 1975, in Anchorage. In 1977 he and his best friend Art Myers (who were often mistaken for each other) built their family homes together and near each other outside of Wasilla, Alaska. Ron and Char had Ronda Malia “Joe Cool/Joey B” in 1978 and their family was complete.
Ron retired as a Battalion Chief after 20 years of dedication to the fire department. He loved his time there and often reminisced about his many close friends and shared his fond stories with his family. Shortly after retiring, he returned to ND, letting his children decide if they wanted to stay or return to Alaska. In 1987 Ron, Shane, and Ron’s brother Dennis returned to Alaska to collect their family belongings and dog Dusty and the family settled on Stump Lake. In 1993, he relocated his family to a beautiful home that they chose together on Devils Lake. Ron enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting with his friends and family, shared many fun memories of his adventures and has breezeway full of mounts to show for it!! He had a very special relationship with his youngest brother, Scott, and was with him until he passed away on Oct. 19, 2016.
In 2005 he moved back to Pekin where he resided at the family farm. On May 10, 2008 he married Margo Digatono Vasicek. They resided in rural Pekin where they enjoyed drives in the country, pinochle, and being involved in the local community. Ron served as Osage Township Treasurer, Legion Treasurer, Community Center President, and Church Counsel President. He was especially proud of the Pekin Veteran’s Memorial that he had a hand in organizing.
He is preceded in death by his parents Miles and Astrid Burthold, siblings; Scott Burthold and Peggy Olson, and his best friend and son, Shane Burthold, granddaughter; Kalea Michele St. Andre and great grandbaby; Angel Baby Hughey and special sister-in-law; Roselie Weaver. He leaves behind his wife, Margo, brother; Dennis Burthold, loving daughters; Chaya Rivka “Rivky” Shirley & Isaac Seidman, Debra Schafer, Darci & Chris Peters, Malia St. Andre & John Gines, admiring grandchildren; Whitney & Tanner Hughey, Danielle & Ty Casey, and Calli & Mat Senger, Samantha (Sam Moran), Jonathon, Kai & Kalani St. Andre and adoring great grandchildren; Calvin, Eddy, Ruby, and Camden, Margo’s children; Megan Shipley and children Matthew & Bethany, Nathan Vasicek (Marsha), and Lara (Tanner) Jacobson and children Kate & Emma, his siblings in law, many cousins, nieces & nephews, many wonderful friends and their families.
The Funeral Service was held at American Lutheran Church, Tolna, ND, on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Interment is in the Pekin Cemetery, Pekin, ND. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Arrangements with the Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home of McVille, ND
www.iversonkassianfuneralservices.com
