Ronald Benner

Ronald Leslie Benner, 40, passed away in Columbia Falls on March 8, 2012.

He was born Nov. 20, 1971, in Bellingham, Wash., and attended Columbia Falls High School.

Ron had the most beautiful brown eyes and his whole face was a smile. He was a happy child full of fun and mischief, always on the go.

Ron visited his father every winter vacation growing up. His mother always brought him to Montana.

There are many hours of home movies and family pictures around the Christmas tree. Ron loved sledding behind the four-wheeler and enjoyed arguing over who got to drive. He loved sledding up the North Fork, ice fishing and getting the Christmas tree. As an adult, he and his brother went skiing every year on Boxing Day until his psoriatic arthritis made him stop.

Ron spent summer vacations with his dad. He grew into a strong young man and loved haying with his family. Ron and his siblings stacked the old hay wagon as high as they could with bales. Ron was the one who climbed up and helped all the little ones up to ride to the barn. He learned to drive helping his dad drive the tractor.

Ron loved swimming at Foys Lake and went every night when his dad got home from work. He enjoyed camping, boating and water skiing. His favorite fishing spot was Echo Lake. Ron enjoyed baseball and played for the Deer Park baseball team.

Ron was always full of fun ideas, and one winter he, with his siblings following in line right behind him, crawled under the North Fork Road through a very small culvert. Another fun idea Ron had, with the help of his siblings, of course, was to bury his little brother in the sand box. They thought it was fun and never could figure out why they were all grounded from the sand box for the rest of the summer.

Ron liked playing “kick the can.” He would hide on the house roof, run across and jump down to kick the can. He was adventurous. He is one of the few who climbed the old Red Bridge and walked across the top to cross the river. We think his name is scratched in the bell tower at Deer Park school, too.

In the summers with his dad, Ron attended the Assembly of God Church in Columbia Falls. He enjoyed family fun day every Sunday after church. When he picked the game, it was kickball, baseball or flying kites. The home movies show how much Ron loved summer.

Ron was a good son, always helping his dad fix something. He was a very protective brother. What a hot temper he had if anyone threatened or picked on one of his siblings.

He was very smart when it came to stereos and electronics. Ron was the one who showed his sister how to record music off the radio.

He was always installing stereos in his trucks. Ron’s first truck was an old Ford he got from his dad. The first thing he did was take his sister for a ride and hit ice, rolling it over on its side. The second thing he did was hit ice and plow into a tree. He blamed the old Ford truck and became a Chevy man. He loved his Chevy truck and had fun arguing with his Ford-loving family about which one was best. Ron was a big fan of wrestling.

Life happens and personal choices change things, but we will always remember the first time Ron and Guyla were over to visit. It was a nice day, and it was fun to see Ron interact with his two daughters, whom he loved very much. On Ron’s last visit, he sat around the backyard campfire with his dad and stepmom and talked about life and reminisced. Ron was very happy that day, and that is how we will remember him.

We are also thankful that Ron had his uncle Frank Sizemore, who was like a father to him in the last years of his life. We are sure it was very helpful for him.

He was preceded in death by his brother Larry Benner, and grandparents Lawrence and Erma Benner, and Bud and Naomi Sizemore.

He is survived by his parents Judy Sizemore and Lonne and Sue Benner; wife Guyla Jurgens Benner; two daughters Melissa and Amanda Benner from his first wife Jennifer Chapman; half siblings Lanae, Lance, Laura, Logan, Landn, Leesa and LaKayla; one neice; nine nephews; a biological grandson; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.

A private graveside goodbye was held for Ron on March 18, 2012, at Woodland Cemetery for this side of his family. Rest in peace Ron, we all loved you.