Ronald Werkmeister

Ronald Lee Werkmeister, 80, of Curtis, passed away on December 22, 2022, in Lincoln, NE.

Ronnie was born on September 2nd, 1942 in Maywood, NE to Albert and Mildred (Kugler) Werkmeister. He attended grade school at Valley in Hayes County; he graduated High School in Maywood with the class of 1960.
Ronnie met Linda in High School and they were married May 10th, 1964. They had two children, Vickie and Bryan.

After High School, Ronnie went on to work at Valley Coop, the work crew that built the Red Willow Dam, afterwards Ronnie and his friend Joe Banzhaf started a gravel hauling company, which eventually lead Ronnie into working for the State Department of Roads until health complications. Shortly after the loss of his leg, a group of Curtis Business Leaders came to Ronnie and Linda’s home and asked him to run for Frontier County Judge. He was elected Nov. 5 th, 1968 and took office in Jan. of 1969, at the age of 26, being the youngest person to hold the position of Judge in Nebraska.

Ronnie proudly served in the position of Judge and Clerk Magistrate for 52 years until retiring in 2020. Ronnie retired as the last elected county Judge in the state. Ronnie was a dedicated member of the Methodist Church, where he was a member of the church choir and often performed solos for the Easter Pageant. Ronnie had a well known love for Polka music and watched Molly B every Saturday night at 9pm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother in law John Ralston, sister in law Mary Littell, sister in law and brother in law Tiny and Bill Ruby. He is survived by his wife, Linda Werkmeister of Curtis; daughter, Vickie (James) Harpst of Lincoln, NE; son, Bryan (Sarah Martin) Werkmeister of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Marika (Clint) Sedlacek, Kylie (Patrick) Skwara, Reilly Martin, Nevaeh Martin; great-grandchildren, Carter and Brody Sedlacek, and great grandson Skwara due in April 2023, sister, Janie Ralston of Maywood, and brother, Troy (Lisa) Werkmeister of Maywood..

Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska; Monday, December 26, 2022, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Curtis, Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 10:30 am with Pastor Tim McCrary officiating.

Interment will follow in the Maywood Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Frontier County Ambulance, or Senior Living Choices.