Ronald Speirs

Ronald A. Speirs passed away May 30, 2026 with his wife Mary by his side, after a 11-year battle with Alzheimer's.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Church of St. Joseph, Mandan, with Fr. Josh Waltz presiding. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Weigel Funeral Home from 5pm – 7pm, with a rosary and parish vigil beginning at 7pm.

Ron was born in Fairbury, NE on December 3, 1950, to Vernon and Freda (DeVries) Speirs. In 1953 the family moved to Libby, MT. Ron attended school in Libby, graduating in 1969. He enlisted in the US Navy the same year and completed basic training in San Diego, CA. He was trained at the Naval Communications Station in Cheltenham, MD as a radiomen and served on the US Franklin Delano Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier touring the Mediterranean Sea for 301 days with ports at Spain, Mallorca, Italy, Rhodes, Greece and Malta.

Ron was honorably discharged in 1973 and returned to Libby where he met Mary Stoller. Ron and Mary were married on July 12, 1974, at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Libby. They moved to Kalispell the same year. Ron earned his Associates of Applied Science from Flathead Valley Community College. He worked for Doyle Enterprises as a land surveyor and Clyde Smith Logging as a skidder operator. Ron and Mary’s daughter, Becca, was born in 1980 in Kalispell, MT.

In 1982, the family moved to Stanton, ND. Ron worked for Basin Electric at the Leland Olds Stations as a laborer. In 1983, their son Ryan, was born. In 1986, the family moved to Hazen, ND and Ron transferred over to the Basin Electric Antelope Valley station as part of the startup crew for the plant. A few years later, Ron completed the courses to join the Instrument and Control Shop and worked there until his retirement in 2010. Ron was a member of the IBEW Local #1593. Ron and Mary began wintering in Arizona in 2011. There they enjoyed golfing and Ron played shuffle board and volunteered as a Ranger. In 2021, Ron and Mary moved from Hazen to Mandan, ND.

Ron was received in the Catholic Church at St. Martins in Hazen, ND in 1986. He served on the St. Martins Parish and Finance councils for many years. In their years of raising children, many weekends were spent camping with friends, golfing and of course doing home projects. Ron could build and fix just about anything and instilled in his family an incredible work ethic.

Like so many married couples, Ron and Mary developed a love for each other’s hobbies over the years. Ron loved building things, Mary loved finding things for Ron to build. Mary loved quilting and flower beds, Ron counted and laid out squares and dug holes upon request. They were a great team, especially when it came to being Nana and Poppa.

Ron enjoyed spending time with his family and loved babies. His grandchildren will remember him for his smile, silliness, cuddles and hard work. Ron famously said on many occasions, “If Mary and I had known how much fun grandchildren were, we would have had them first.” He was the most fun Poppa.

In the last years, Mary heroically cared for Ron as life became more difficult due to the progression of his Alzheimer's. She spent countless hours sitting by his side and was by his side when he took his last breath. For better or worse, her love and care for him never faltered. Mary treasured Ron's smiles of recognition and said they were such a consolation in the midst of their joint suffering.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary of 52 years; children Becca (Nate) Swenson Mandan, and Ryan (Priscilla) Bismarck; grandchildren, Andrew, Lainey, Levi, Nora, John and Luke Swenson, Kandrian, Zoey, and Nash Speirs; sister Donna (Dan) Cook Washington; brother, Jeff, Indiana; brothers-in-law, John, and Bill (Carol) Stoller, Montana; niece Kaycee (Brad) Johnson, Washington; nephews, Dale Stoller, Idaho, Edward Stoller, Montana, Jesse Speirs, Montana; aunts Ellen DeVries, Nebraska, Joann DeVries, Washington and numerous cousins.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Freda and Ernie Eggert and Vernon Speirs; his very special mother-in-law, Mary Stoller; father-in-law, Fred Stoller; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to thank all of Ron’s caregivers and the staff at Baptist Health. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Ron’s memory.