Ronald Gene Hennies

Fr. Ron left town this morning and will not return. Ronald was born Dec. 22, 1931 on the prairies of Wagner, SD to Lewis and Mariellen (Bailey) Hennies. Ronald was preceded in death by his brothers Frank and Thomas, sister-in-law Ann, and his loving wife Leona (Fletcher).

 He has left behind his daughters Elizabeth Hennies-Sund (and husband Greg) and Barbara Kress (and husband Joel), his brother Donald, sister-in-law Jean, as well as one great-grandchild, four grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

Ronald served his country in the US Army, graduated from Black Hills State U., earned a M. Div. from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph. D from Notre Dame. Through his career he served many Episcopal parishes, starting in Ft. Pierre, SD, as well as in Kearney and Holdridge, Nebraska, Buffalo, WY, Lead, SD, Bloomington, MN and Rapid City, SD. After “retiring”, Ronald (known as Fr. John) served as priest for the Orthodox church in Los Alamos, NM.

 The funeral service will be held on July 18 at 11 am MDT at Christ Episcopal Church, Lead, SD. His interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. that day at the Black Hills National Cemetery. The family thanks Neveah Hospice for providing compassionate care for Ronald.