Ronnie Schaffer

Ronnie Joe Schaffer, 66, of Hammond, MT passed away in Spearfish, SD on Friday, August 18, 2017.

Ronnie was born November 18, 1950 in Miles City, MT to Billy Joe and Mary (Preston) Schaffer. He attended grade school at Hay Creek country school and graduated in 1968 from Powder River County High School. After high school, Ronnie attended Montana State University and Black Hills State College majoring in chemical engineering. On January 13, 1973 he married Nina Traub, and to this union three children were born, Ryan in November of 1973, Trista in September of 1975, and Alex in September of 1986.

In his younger days, he loved ropings and even won some all-arounds by adding broncs and bulls to the mix. Ronnie loved quarter horses and had been surrounded by them all his life. In later years, he used "Japanese quarter horses" for fencing and moving cattle but always enjoyed riding horses on the ranch. He ranched at Powderville from 1978 to 2012 and then went back to his family ranch in the Boyes/Hammond area. He collected boots, enjoyed hunting and fishing, birdwatching, and was avid in arrowhead, fossil and rock hunting.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ernest and Angelina Preston, and Carl and Canzetta Schaffer, and cousin Curtis Hall.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nina; parents Billy Joe and Mary Schaffer; sons Ryan (Jennifer), and Alex (Mykah); daughter Trista (Brad) Jones; sisters Connie (Jim) Capp, and Debrah (John) Capp; grandsons Keegan and Danner; and granddaughters Ryssa, Kylie, and Robin, cousins Dennis Schaffer, Eddy (Beverly) Schaffer, and Bobby (Lee) Traub, also Aunt Margaret and numerous cousins.

A funeral service was held on August 23, 2017 at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Interment followed at Boyes Cemetery in Boyes, MT. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: http://www.stevensonandsons.com.