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Obituary

Ronald F. Frye

December 10, 1950 - March 11, 2024

Ronald F. Frye, 73 years of Waverly, Nebraska passed away on March 11, 2024 in Lincoln surrounded by his family. Ron was born on December 10, 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska to Dean & Bette (Smith) Frye.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters, Jennifer Frye of Lincoln, NE, Beth (Tim) Cavanaugh of Omaha, NE, and Peggy (Jon) Wilson of Waverly, NE; sister, Cheryl (Eldon) Moser of Yutan, NE, brother, Mark (Lori) of Fremont, NE; sisters-in-law, Christine Frye of Omaha, NE and Lynn Frye of Yutan, NE; grandchildren, Philomena & Maggie Hogan, Peyton & Tyler Cavanaugh, Jacob Wilson & Kayla (Gage) Molck; great grandchildren, Cooper Diever & Addy Molck; mother-in-law, Carole Olson; brother-in-law, Jim Olson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Dean, Sr. and Bette; brothers, Dean, Jr. & Richard; and father-in-law, Merlin Olson.

Ron grew up with his parents, Dean & Bette, and his siblings, Dean, Cheryl, Rick, & Mark, on an acreage near Valley, NE. He attended Fremont High School where he met his wife, Sharon. He graduated from high school in May 1969. He was drafted into the Army in July 1970 and was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington until November 1970. He was honorably discharged due to having messed up feet from jumping out of a tree when he was 10!! Ron and Sharon were married on July 10, 1971. They were blessed with three daughters, Jennifer, Beth, & Peggy. They lived in an old farmhouse out in the country by Valley, NE. They moved to Yutan in 1974 and lived there for 45 years before moving to Waverly in 2019.

Ron worked at Western Electric for 37 years holding many different jobs. He also worked at Cabela’s for 10 years in the gun, hunting, and optics departments, Huber Chevrolet for 1 year driving customers, and Lincoln Auto Auction about 6 months driving cars from dealers to the auction house. Ron loved playing his guitar, fishing, going deer and pheasant hunting with his Dad and 3 brothers, watching and attending Husker football, but his favorite pastime was camping with the girls and their families. He was so proud to take our grandsons, Peyton, Tyler, & Jake fishing. We took many vacations with the girls and just the two of us. His favorite campground was Fort Robinson in western Nebraska. We saw all the sites in the surrounding states and a few states farther away. He also loved to take rides anywhere for a few hours or a whole weekend. Our son-in-law joked that we picked up our mail in Chadron!! Ron also loved playing cards on the computer while listening to us girls talking and laughing in the other room. Ron was not the kind of person to just sit still so he was always finding something to fix or make. His garage was full of tools so he was ready to work on any project at our house or anywhere else.

Funeral service: 11:00 am Saturday, March 16, 2023, Roper and Sons Waverly Chape, 10851 North 148th Street, Waverly, NE.

Interment in Omaha National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation with family present from 5-7 pm Friday, March 15, 2024 at Roper and Sons Waverly Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America.

Services

March15

Visitation

CST

Roper & Sons Waverly Chapel

10851 N. 148th St.
Waverly, NE 68462

(402) 786-3800
March16

Funeral Service

CST

Roper & Sons Waverly Chapel

10851 N. 148th St.
Waverly, NE 68462

(402) 786-3800

Share a Memory or Condolence

March 15, 2024

Ron, aka, “Papa Smurf” was the most caring, attentive, helpful, friendly, joke telling, & great co-worker, that I feel privileged to have worked with him. You will be missed so much!! My thoughts and prayers for his wife and family.

– Jeanette Piccolo
March 14, 2024

I had the pleasure of working with Ron during the 10 years he was there. Ron was always quick with a funny story to brighten the day. Ron liked to be called “Papa Smurf” maybe because of his white hair and beard. Although she didn’t work closely with Ron, my wife remembers seeing him from working at Western Electric too.

– Doug Charnquist
March 13, 2024

He took me out fishing for the first time when I was 9 and the first cast was straight into the tree to the left of us, and we had a great laugh. Later on I caught my first fish. It was a pretty small catfish, but that was the proudest and happiest I have ever been. He is the reason I take life lighter when I make small silly mistakes, and I will be forever thankful for him to have been in my life.

– Tyler

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