Ronald Frank Podolak

Ronald F. Podolak, long time Wyoming Rancher, retired to Billings MT, died at home March 14,
2022 at age 84. Ronald was born July 26, 1937 in Lusk, WY to Frank C. Podolak and Alice M.
Britton. Ronald grew up on the family ranch near Jay Em, WY. Ronald attended school at Prairie
Center School from 1943 to 1953. Ronald graduated from Niobrara County High School in 1955.

In his youth Ronald was very involved in 4-H (10 years). and won numerous awards including
Grand Champion Market Steer at the Wyoming State Fair and Grand Champion Market Steer at
the Golden Spike Livestock show in Ogden, UT. Ronald also won trips to the 4-H Congress in
Chicago, IL.

Ronald served in the Army National Guards in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO in the later 1950s. He
returned to the family ranch and married Donna J. Shane on September 28, 1958. From this
marriage daughter, Deborah and son Donald were born. Ronald worked on the family ranch
assisting his parents in raising registered Polled Hereford cattle. Ronald was very involved in
promoting agriculture through Wyoming Farm Bureau serving as county president and state
president. In 1974 Ronald took over the family ranch and continued raising registered Polled
Hereford cattle and incorporated into cross-breeding the cows with Simmental bulls and Angus
bulls improving the calves weaning weight and overall size. Ronald also improved the
production of hay for the ranch through center pivot irrigation and planting alfalfa. Ronald
retired and sold the family ranch in 1997. He and his wife Donna then moved to Laurel, MT in 1999.
In 2012 they moved to Rockvale, MT, and in 2019 they moved to Billings, MT.

Ronald attended the New Life Church in Laurel, MT for 20 years and grew in his walk with the
Lord. Ronald was water baptized on April 23, 2017, at the age of 80, at New Life Church. He was a
quiet and deep man of faith. His baptism was a day of great celebration.

Ronald is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Deborah (Loren), and numerous nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends. Ronald is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Alice Podolak, sister Janice

Sturman, and son Donald R. Podolak.

Family requests memorials he made to New Life Church, 201 1st Ave., Laurel, MT 59044 or Alzheimer's Association-Montana, 3010 11 th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101