Obituary for Ronnie Bents, Father of Umpire Leah Bents Smith

Ronnie LeRoy Bents, 69, of Salem lost his courageous three-year battle with cancer on January 1, 2021.

Ron was born in Sibley, IA in 1951 to Andy Hugo and Vivian (Dagel) Bents-Post.  He attended Sibley High School and was married to ViAnn Hofmeyer in 1970 at the First Reformed Church in Melvin, IA.  They made their home in Baker Township in Osceola County, IA where Ron farmed with his father-in-law Virgil.  In 1984 Ron started his trucking career and moved his family to Sioux Falls, SD in 1986.  Ron continued long-haul truck driving for many years but due to declining health, he began working many different daily routes driving in Sioux Falls for several more years.  Sadly in 2014, he lost his wife ViAnn.

Ron met Carol in 2016 at her job with Lewis Drug in Sioux Falls.  They were married in 2018 at Faith Lutheran Church in Humboldt, SD.  They made their home in Salem, SD where Ron enjoyed spending his time fishing, gardening, and being with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Salem; his three children, Leah (Duane) Smith of Watertown, Cody (Delores) Bents and Jodi (Lance) Ducheneaux both of Mitchell; his seven grandchildren, David, Ora, Skyler, Daniel, Addison, Starr, and William; one great-grandchild, Scarlett; his two brothers, Doug and Hank, one sister, Robin and one sister-in-law, Barb Bents.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, ViAnn, and his brother, Andy.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Friday, January 8th, 2021 at Faith Lutheran Church (511 S. Main St.) in Humboldt, SD.  Facemasks will be required at the service.