Ronald Henry “Ron” Burfeind, 89 of rural Malta Bend, MO died Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.
Ron was born December 5, 1936, on the family farm near Mount Leonard, the son of Henry and Jessie Burfeind. He was baptized and became a child of God at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on December 27th, 1936. He was confirmed on May 21, 1950, to receive the precious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood. He attended school at Malta Bend School and Bethlehem Lutheran School. After graduating in 1955, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he earned a BS in Animal Science graduating from Mizzou in 1959. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity, forming a special bond with many of his brothers there, along with two of his grandsons who later joined the fraternity.
On April 14, 1961, he was united in holy matrimony to Peggy Brandt. Of this union, they were blessed with three daughters: Debbie, Cynthia, and Margaret.
Ron was a fourth-generation farmer who established the recognition of a Missouri Century Farm. He used his farming knowledge and education to incorporate new ideas into his row-crop, pork, and cattle production operation.
Ron served in the Missouri National Guard for 3 years, where he attained the rank of First Class Private. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was involved in various church committees. He was also a member of the Missouri Pork Producers and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. Ron served on the Malta Bend School Board for two terms.
In his spare time, Ron enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the water fishing and boating. His favorite place was the annual family fishing trip to Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, Ron was an avid Missouri Tiger fan and held football season tickets for over 35 years. These Mizzou traditions continue through his grandchildren and their love for the Missouri Tigers.
Ron cherished his time with his grandchildren, building and playing with remote-control planes, helicopters, rockets, and boats. A favorite pastime was building model train layouts and watching them go round and round with his grandchildren. He also introduced them to farm life through tractor rides, gator rides, and fishing on the family farm. Ron also enjoyed showing his grandchildren local historic sites in various towns and parks such as Stover, Arrow Rock, Lexington, Johnson Shut-ins, Elephant Rocks, Van Meter State Park, and the Missouri River. He also went on several camping trips in Missouri and Colorado with his grandchildren.
Ron is survived by his wife, Peggy Burfeind, of 65 years; his two daughters, Debbie (Jerry) Bell of Overland Park, KS and Margaret (Brent) Minear of Livonia, MO; and his son, Patrick Holcer of Chula, MO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brady (Tassia) Minear, Nicole Bell
and Dhruv Tripathi, Drake (Kaylee) Minear, Amanda Bell, Jack Bell, Cassie Cranmer (Ian), and Chance Holcer; and six great-grandchildren: Charlotte Minear, Colter Minear, Graham Minear, Miles Minear, Hanna Gilgour, and Haddi Sue Cranmer.
Ron was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Burfeind; his parents, Henry and Jessie Burfeind; his siblings, Wallace Burfeind, Mildred Gash, and Randall Burfeind; along with many aunts, uncles, and one nephew, Bob Gash.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshall with Pastor Brett Arrasmith officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Blackburn. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
