Ronald Girard

Ronald A. Girard, age 50, of Murrieta, CA, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on April 6, 1956. He called many places home. After spending his childhood in South and North Dakota, he found his home in Dickinson, ND, in 1973. He was a graduate of Trinity High School. Ron received a degree in Business Administration in 1978 from Dickinson State University. That same year he began a lifelong career with Burlington Northern/Sante Fe Railroad. In 1981, he married the love of his life, Kathy Kilwein. They had two daughters, Dana and Sheena, before moving to Olathe, Kansas, in 1994. They transferred with BNSF to Murrieta in 2001. His love of trains and travel were a constant in his life. Ron loved to work hard, play hard, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. His smile was infectious, and he was always ready with a laugh. He thoroughly enjoyed anything under the ?sun,? especially a round of golf, snorkeling, swimming, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, parasailing, washing his corvette, mowing the lawn, washing down the pool deck, and downhill skiing. He played basketball his whole life, first in school, then in intramurals, and later in his swimming pool. Ron and Kathy were great hosts on lots of occasions entertaining their families and friends; celebrating the big and small things in life. He took time to plan and enjoy many vacations with his family over the years. Ron was a truly an old-fashioned guy with high standards and expectations in all aspects of his life, giving all he had and living life to the fullest. Ron and Kathy experienced 25 years together of a great love story. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters Dana and Sheena; parents Robert and Marlene Girard; three brothers, Rob (Jan) Girard, Jon (Judy) Girard, Rick (Linda) Girard, and a sister, Suzanne (Rick) Van Horne; and 24 nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Ron Girard Family.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: January 26, 2007
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Friday, St. Martha’s Catholic Church, Murrieta, CA