Ronald 'Ron' Glugla
Ronald A. Glugla, 74, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away doing what he loved on Thursday, May 1, 2025, southeast of Aberdeen.
Ronald Allen Glugla was born on January 21, 1951, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Donald and Shirley (Hoeft) Glugla. The family moved to Stratford, SD, where Ron spent his childhood, attending school there before graduating from Warner High School in 1969. After high school, Ron attended VoTech school in Denver, where he earned a general automotive degree. After returning home, Ron found employment for a short time at Taylor Implement in Ipswich, then at the Brown County Highway Dept for a brief period. He then went on to Firestone for 25 years, but then returned to the Brown County Highway Department until he retired in 2014. Since his retirement, he had been a fill-in truck driver for Mike at TW Transportation of Bath, and you always found him in the fields with his cousin Kurt Hoeft every fall helping with harvest.
On July 3, 1971, Ron married the love of his life, Carol Call, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Together, they built a life full of love and laughter, a perfect match for almost 54 years. Ron and Carol were blessed with three children: Michaela, Michael, and Crystal. In addition to their children, they were also blessed with a foreign exchange student from Finland, Jan Huovinen. Jan became like a son to them, visiting often and maintaining a special bond with the entire Glugla family. Also, an honorary daughter, Tammy Reasy (Devlin), and their entire family were a special part of Ron’s life too.
Ron was a devoted father and grandfather, always eager to pass on his skills and knowledge. Whether it was fixing anything that needed repair, teaching his kids how to drive a tractor, or just sharing life lessons, Ron was always there for them. He was also an avid McCormick Deering Farmall Tractor collector, with a collection of 22 tractors, including his most prized possession—a 1945 B Farmall Tractor that had been passed down from his father, Don. This tractor was known to himself and his family as “B1”, the one that started it all. Ron’s expertise in all things mechanical was unmatched, and his Shed in Stratford was always open to friends, family, and anyone who wanted to stop by and visit. He was the go-to guy for advice on fixing tractors—or just about anything else. Ron never turned down a question and always saw a project through to completion, sharing his knowledge and positive attitude with everyone he met.
Outside of his love for tractors, Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially during trips to Alaska and Colorado, with his son, Mike. The pair formed an unbreakable bond through these trips, which were filled with memories of elk, moose, and deer hunts, as well as countless fishing adventures on the Missouri River. Ron was a proud member of the Antique Tractor Pulling Association, where he earned many medals and trophies for his dedication. Ron took a great amount of pride in his time with the antique tractor pullers, where he made many amazing memories and friends. He was often found at the pulls early to help set up. Everyone knew they could depend on Ron to get everything done.
Ron loved the community of Stratford and each year led the 4th of July Parade on his Farmall tractor that pulled the King and Queen through town...twice. He also volunteered his time to help the Stratford Community Theater as a waiter and then in the kitchen for the last 25 years. Also, each year, Ron made sure to plant a small patch of corn in the city of Stratford that he would share with the community. Ron’s Shed in Stratford was the place for friends to stop and visit when they saw his pickup, which he referred to as “old fade and rust,” sitting outside. Everyone knew that they could always stop for a cold Old Milwaukee and help Ron solve all the world’s problems.
Ron’s favorite pastimes included listening to classic country music and watching reruns of Gunsmoke and John Wayne westerns. He also enjoyed taking motorcycle trips with family and friends, ensuring that all of his children learned how to ride and got their motorcycle licenses. He taught his children how to drive everything from cars and tractors to minibikes and go-karts—especially the B1 tractor, which was a family rite of passage as soon as the kids were tall enough to reach the clutch.
Ron’s legacy of kindness, knowledge, and generosity will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. His positive attitude, willingness to help others, and his deep love for his family made him a truly special person.
Ron is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Carol; children: Michaela Glugla, Mike (Nikki) Glugla, Crystal (Kelly Gillis) Glugla; grandchildren: Grace, Jacob: brother, Tom (Lynette) Glugla; sister, Jeannie Glugla-Lowe; and many cousins, extended family, and grand-puppies.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Larry Lowe.