Ronald Hummel, 86, Pierre, SD, formerly of Garrison, died on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at a Pierre hospital.  Cremation has taken place and funeral services will be held in the summer of 2021.  Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan.

Ronald was born October 12, 1934 in Garrison, ND to Reinhold and Beata (Mehlhoff) Hummel.  He was attended country school and later Garrison High School, graduating in 1952.  After graduation, he worked on construction of the Snake Creek Embankment during the summer of 1952.  He then went to work for Truax-Traer's Custer Coal Mine east of Garrison.  Ronald was once married to Carol Knock.  From this marriage came four children.  He later married Pamela Downs and added a son to their family.  Pamela died in 1989.

In the early 1990's, Ronald began what turned into a 30 plus year relationship with Audrey Thompson.  They continued to live on the homestead and after Audrey moved to Pierre to be closer to her children, Ron followed her.

Ronald was drafted into the US Army in December of 1956 and was in the Army Combat Engineers, stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  After his time in the service, he returned to Garrison and again worked at the Custer Mine and construction during the summer months.  He then transferred to the Consolidation Coal Mine in Stanton where he was a heavy equipment operator, mostly working the "Wheel" of what is now similar to the large drag lines of the coal industry today.  He would later operate the drag lines as well.  He retired from the coal industry in 1993.

Following his retirement, Ron loved to take care of his large yard, which was the farmstead of his grandfather, Christian Hummel.  He also enjoyed playing cards and was a very good cook.  Ron had a very quick wit.  He loved to visit and wasn't afraid to give you a bad time, always in a joking way.

Ronald is survived by his children, Amanda (Don) Crabtree, Albuquerque, NM, Donna (Mike) Schmidt, Bismarck, ND, Barbara Grant, Bismarck, ND, Ronald Jr (Becky) Hummel, Mandan, ND, Christopher (April), Magruder, Garrison, ND; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; step-children, Dwight Thompson, David Thompson, Karen (Pat) Callahan, 5 step-grandchildren, 6 step-great grandchildren; sister, Karen (Roger) Jacobson, Stanton, ND, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Pamela, sister, Darlene, and a brother, Gordon, and an infant brother, grandson, Alexander Jonathan Westly Grant, stepdaughter, Kay Wheeler, niece, Sandra Goody, and a nephew, Gary Goody.