Obituary of Ronald D. Pullman

Ronald Dale Pullman was born September 3, 1950 to Paul P. and LaVina (Pullman) Pullman at their farm west of Freeman.  Ron graduated high school in 1968 and went on to become an automobile mechanic in Denver, Colorado.  He moved back to South Dakota in 1970 and began working for a water treatment company.  While residing in Yankton, he also enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard.  In 1985 Ron and his former wife, Karen had twin boys, Shane and Shawn. Then, in 1987, they moved back to Freeman where Ron purchased a farm northwest of town and started his own plumbing business.  Ron met his wife, Claudia in 1998 and married her in 2001. Together they had a family of eight.  In addition to Shane and Shawn, he became a stepfather to four children from Claudia's previous marriage, Larry, Levi, Shawna, and John Sandal, of the late John Walter Sandal.  Ron took on the responsibility of a father and was proud to have two of his sons join the military. They got the honor of serving in the same National Guard unit that Ron served in for 21 years before he retired.  Ron became a member of the Freeman American Legion, Post 248 and remained a member until his passing on May 6th. 

Ronnie liked hunting, fishing and boating, as well as driving and showing off his 1938 Chevy coupe that he was very proud of.  After retiring from plumbing, he was becoming proficient in smoking meats, making homemade wine, cooking crawdads, and became very interested in brewing beer.

Ronnie is survived by his siblings:  Randy (Leona) Pullman, Judy (Zeke) Bittner, Karen (Dave) Bartling, Leroy (Kathy) Pullman; his wife, Claudia; children:  Shane Pullman of Rapid City, SD, Shawn Pullman and his fiancé, Amanda Ensz of Tea, SD, Larry Sandal and his spouse, Greg Roling, along with their daughter, Emmersyn of Sioux Falls,SD,  Shawna Sandal (AJ Zimmer) of Grand Island, NE, John Sandal of Watertown, SD and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and LaVina Pullman and son, Levi Sandal.