Rev. Ronald Dean “Ronn” Moccasin Sr., Wintga I’cage (Growing Egg), began his journey on Sunday morning October 13, 2019. He left peacefully in the arms of his wife, Ethelyn with daughter, Ronnetta beside him, at his home in Frazer, MT. Ronn was born on April 5, 1936 in Poplar, MT. He was the son of the late John and Edith Jackson Moccasin. He was raised in Savoy on the Fort Belknap and Fort Peck Reservations. He was a member of the Red Bottom Assiniboine Clan and carries the Indian name of his late father, John Moccasin. His elementary education began in Frazer, then 1 year at a B.I.A. Boarding School at Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD.
Ronn enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the early age of 17 in 1953; during the Korean conflict. He served 4 ½ years aboard the USS Florikan ASR-9 for 27 months, qualifying as a second class Deep Sea Diver off the shores of Yokosuka, Japan in 1954. He then transferred to a submarine tender USS Nereus AS-17. He later transferred to the aircraft carrier USS Lexington CVA-17. In 1955, he completed his tour of active duty in the U.S. Navy, being transferred to the ready reserves until he was honorably discharged on December 2, 1957. On April 17, 1976 he joined the Montana Army National Guard in Malta, MT. He was assigned to the M-60 tank unit. He qualified as an M-60 tank driver, loader, gunner, and eventually to tank commander. He later transferred to the Glasgow unit and continued as a tank commander. In 1980, he transferred to an infantry unit at Oelwein, Iowa; the same year Ronn left Frazer to attend college in Fayette, Iowa. In January of 1981, during his National Guard Duties and attending college, he met his future wife, Ethelyn Hunter in Arizona. Their long distant relationship soon blossomed and they were married that following June in Beatty, Oregon. Their Presbyterian Ministry began that following fall, when Ronn enrolled in Dubuque Theological Seminary, and they moved to Dubuque, Iowa for 4 years. Ronn graduated in May of 1984 with a Masters of Divinity and also from the upper Iowa University with a BA Degree in Sociology in Fayette, Iowa. While still in school, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1983 at Dubuque, Iowa and trained as an Army Medic until 1984; at which time he had to move to Porcupine, South Dakota to begin his Ministry. On June 24, 1984, his third wedding anniversary, he was ordained. Serving in the National Guard wasn’t far from his mind; he moved back to Montana and yet again joined the Montana Army National Guard in Culbertson, Montana with a tank unit until 1987; when the unit was converted into a tow missile unit. Once again, Ronn qualified as a tow vehicle commander, he served in this capacity until retiring from the Montana Army National Guard after 20 years and 1 day as a Staff Sergeant with and Honorable Discharge.
Ronn was a life member of the VFW Post 1755 he was Post Commander from 1997-1998. He also served as Post Chaplain, Service Officer, and Post Quarter Master, until the VFW burned down. Ronn was also a life member of VFW Post 9061 of Mandaree, ND. He was a member of the American Legion Post 54 and American Legion Post 61 of Brockton, MT. He also was a member of D.A.V. Chapter #9 of Williston, ND. He also served at the State Level as Chaplain. Ronn was proud of his Military services he held it with the utmost degree. During all of this, he still did his ministry and he was the only Ordained Minister on the Fort Peck Reservation, serving the Presbyterian churches from Frazer to Fort Kipp. Ronn retired from his ministry in 2002, while serving south east Alaska, ministering to the Tlingit people. He always said there is a need to do ministry work, so he came out of his retirement; being a member of the Dakota Presbytery. There’s no such thing as retirement—that was his philosophy, so he kept on ministering. At the time of his passing, he was serving Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Poplar.
Ronn wore many hats; he was also a wildland fire fighter for over 20 years as a crew boss and later as the bus driver to take fire fighters to the next fire. Ronn was a traditional dancer and traveled to many powwows; he enjoyed watching his grandchildren dance at powwows. Ronn also loved watching PBR Rodeo; he could tell you who scored on what bull. He knew the statistic of each bull rider, same with NFL and College football. He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers and Oregon Ducks. Ronn also worked for Frazer and Wolf Point High Schools as the Assiniboine Language Teacher. After many years of teaching, he retired from the Wolf Point High School.
In April of 2011, Ronn got the recognition of Indian Elder of the Year during the MIEA Conference in Great Falls, MT. He was very proud and honored to be chosen. Ronn also worked for the Fort Peck Tribes in many capacities, the latest one was Language/Culture. Teaching was his passion, he enjoyed working with young minds; repetition was his teaching method and he enjoyed being a consistent resource for his students. Ronn felt the need for more Native American teachers and welcomed the mentoring of young teachers who also wanted to teach Native American Studies. He also was the housing commissioner for the Frazer Community, and was on the Land Preservation as an elder. Once again, in 2016 he had to retire from what he loved.
In July of 2016 he had a quadruple heart bypass in Billings; then February of this year, he was diagnosed with Stage III Lung Cancer. Throughout April and May he went through chemo and radiation treatments at the Billings Cancer Center. Although his lung showed no more signs of cancer, his chemo took a toll on his body, making his heart weaker; another cancer cell attacked his body.
Ronn has done a lot in 83 years, he lived a good life. Ronn will be truly missed by those that knew him, especially by his wife of 38 years, Ethelyn, his children, and grandchildren. He fought the good fight, he won the race. Rest in peace my love; we will meet each other again someday.
Ronn is survived by his wife, Ethelyn; sons, Elmer (Norma) Flying Horse of Mandaree, ND, John (Dessie) Moccasin of Wolf Point, and Robert Moccasin of Great Falls, MT; daughters, Cindy and Ronnetta Moccasin of Frazer; brothers, Dennis Moccasin of Helena, MT and Don (Alicia) Moccasin of Eugene, Oregon; 14 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and adopted sons, Gary Farnsworth of Billings, MT and Klaus Koeppe of Berlin, Germany.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald Jr.; 2 sisters; aunt, Elizabeth Horn; grandparents; and great grandparents.
A four day feed will be held 2: 30 p.m. Wednesday, October 16 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. A wake will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 16 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, October 17 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Frazer. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences for the family maybe left using the form below.