Ronald Dean "Ronnie" Harvey

Ronald (Ronnie) Dean Harvey, 76, of Gothenburg went to be with our Lord Sunday, August 15, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Ronnie was born October 24, 1933, in Lexington, Nebraska to Albert and Verna (Golden) Harvey. He was the fourth of ten children. When Ronnie was young, the family settled in Gothenburg, Nebraska. Ronnie spent his youth outdoors fishing. As a young boy, Ronnie was welcomed into Onie and Mae Brown’s family and formed lifelong relationships with their family. During Ronnie’s early adulthood he was an experienced Golden Glove boxer. After hanging up the gloves, he went to work at Great Western Sugar Factory in Ovid, Colorado. It was in Ovid that Ronnie met the love of his life, Evelyn Bennett. Ronnie and Evelyn were united in holy matrimony on September 3, 1955, in Lexington, Nebraska. To this union three children were born: Cynthia (Cyndi), Ronnie Lee and Barbara (Barbie). During his early married life, Ronnie worked for Healey’s Hay Mill and Jess Quinns’s farm. With a young family, Ronnie moved to Starr, Idaho to work with his brothers-in-law in a land leveling business. In 1970, the family returned to Nebraska and Ronnie began fulfilling a 30 year career at Monroe Auto Equipment Company. Ronnie and Evelyn were lucky to be able to work for the same company, and rode to work together each day. In 1976, Ronnie was awarded the Merit Award for Distinguished Contribution from Monroe’s for his suggestion for improvement on a machine, which was later patented. It was at Monroe’s that Ronnie made many friends and lasting relationships. In his retirement, Ronnie enjoyed traveling south to Texas for the winter, feeding coins into a slot machine, having lively conversations at the local coffee (gossip) shop, but most of all visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ronnie is survived by his children: Cyndi (Kelly) Wohlert of O’Neill, Nebraska; Ronnie Lee Harvey of Lexington, Nebraska; Barbie (Tom) Wolfe of Cozad, Nebraska. Brothers: Don (Debbie) of Gothenburg, Nebraska; George (Peggy) of Columbus, Nebraska; Jim of Gothenburg, Nebraska and Lawrence of Napa, Idaho. Sisters: Dorothy Andrews of Gothenburg, Nebraska; and Sharon (Fred) Engberg of Joplin, Missouri. Extended family: Rollie (Dorothy) Brown of Gothenburg, Nebraska; Charles (June) Brown of Brady, Nebraska; John (Elaine) Brown of Eustis, Nebraska; Violet Montgomery and Harold (Susie) Brown. Seven grandchildren: Cressi (Doug) McClellan of Williston, North Dakota; Kristopher (Becky) Wohlert of Kenesaw, Nebraska; Lacy Harvey of Lexington, Nebraska; Amber Wolfe of Gothenburg, Nebraska; Travis (Amanda) Harvey of Lexington, Nebraska; Derek Wolfe and fiancé Brooke Conroy of Cozad, Nebraska; Amanda Aguilar of Lexington, Nebraska and 12 great-grandchildren. Ronnie was welcomed into Heaven by his wife Evelyn, who passed away six years ago to the day before him. He was also preceded in death by his parents; Uncle Onie and Aunt Mae; brother, Roy and sisters, Beverly Earll, Rosie Rhinehart and a special cousin, Glenn Harvey. Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 21, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Gothenburg, Nebraska with Pastor Larry Viter officiating. Burial will be in the Gothenburg Cemetery at Gothenburg. Visitation will be Friday, August 20, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Gothenburg. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Elizabeth House of Kearney, Nebraska – respite housing for patients and family receiving services at Good Samaritan Hospital. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct condolences to the family or expressions of sympathy through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.