Ronald "Ron" Dean Emken Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ronald Dean Emken, 74, of Grand Island, passed away June 20, 2022. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 28th at 10 am at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate. Burial will follow the service in Bradshaw, NE. Casual attire is requested. Ron was born on May 9, 1948 in Aurora, NE to Edwin and Esther (Howland) Emken. Ron attended Marquette grade school and High school, graduating in 1966. After graduation, he attended Southeast Community College in Milford, NE. Ron married Nancy Bowman on December 4, 1966. They moved to Cedar Rapids, IA where Ron worked for Collins Radio Corporation. In 1971, they moved back to Lincoln, where Ron went to work at the University and Duncan Aviation. In 1974, they moved to Grand Island to work in aviation at the Central Nebraska Airport, eventually buying the entire General Aviation operation. They spent many years building and expanding the company. Nancy passed suddenly in 2003 and things changed. Ron sold the business and went into retirement. He worked on many different projects through the years, but mostly pursued his passion for golf, and was a part of the Sons of the American Legion. In June of 2004, Ron was remarried to Trina. Ron worked for Bickford Cottage for many years. After his second retirement, the couple bought a house in Mesa, AZ, where they enjoyed sight -seeing and having friends and family visit. They enjoyed retirement and golfing together. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Pat Echelberger, Gary, Marvin, and Duane Emken. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Trina; children, Dana (Jennifer) Emken, Jason (Lynn) Emken, Cameron (Alecia) Smith; grandchildren, Tiffany and Steven Clark, Kristine, Brooke, Tyler, Sancy-Jo, Preston Emken, Tryse, Trytan, TresLynn Smith; great grandchild, Aaron Clark; brothers, Alan and Dave Emken; sisters, Vicky Kunz, Dorothy Minton, and Marilyn Lantzer; and mother-in-law, Virginia Bowman. Memorials are suggested to the Sons of the American Legion or the American Cancer Society.

Ronald "Ron" Dean Emken

May 9, 1948 - June 20, 2022

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