Roland Stanley Ringhand, 85

Roland Stanley Ringhand passed on to be with the Lord in his home on May 21, 2013, after a long battle with ALS. He joined his wife, Ruby Elaine Ringhand, who preceded his death last July.

Roland was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Oregon, Wis., to Stanley Walter and Elva Ringhand. He was an only child and loved to tell his family that his parents “stopped at perfection.” He was raised on a family dairy farm of 300 acres, and enjoyed driving the family’s “new” tractor and working the fields.

Roland was drafted into the Army in 1950 during the Korean War, and was stationed at Camp Polk, La., for two years. Previous to this, he met and fell in love with Ruby Zitzner. His persistence in gaining her attentions, after meeting her at the local A & W Root Beer stand in Madison, Wis., paid off and the couple married on Dec. 23, 1950.

After Roland’s military service, he gained employment at Industrial Towel Co. in Madison and eventually transferred to LaCrosse, Wis., where his sons, Ronald Roland and Roderic Ray, were born. His family later relocated to Oregon, Wis., and his third child, a daughter, Robin Renee, was born.

Roland’s work ethic accomplished the award of top salesman year after year and he worked his way into management before retiring in 1979. Upon retirement, Roland’s entire family moved out to Idaho where their oldest son, Ron, had settled after his marriage. Roland worked at various occupations in Idaho, including starting his own trash disposal business and working summers at Farragut State Park for nine years.

In his later years, Roland loved to fire up his diesel pickup and head down to Bayview for coffee, where he would play cribbage with his friends. One would frequently find him visiting with his friends and neighbors. He enjoyed being outside, and was often out cutting firewood and mowing lawns.

Roland’s life was his family and his God. Holidays were special to him as he would encourage his family to express how God had blessed them through the year. His prayers would often voice his appreciation for his family and the freedom America had given him. Roland continued to stay positive, and even with limited mobility, he would sit outside in his chair and remark on God’s beauty given to him. He would often reach for a kiss from his grandchildren and a smile was readily given to all even in his final days.

Roland is survived by his sons and daughter, Ron, Ric and Robin; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Southside Community Church in Westmond. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, was entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Roland’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.