Obituary of Donald William Ringwood

With sincere sadness, the family of Don Ringwood announces his passing. Don was born May 7th, 1948 to William (Bill) J Ringwood and Helen Marie Ringwood in Spokane WA. He joined Sam, and they were joined by Mary and Gerald to the family. He was raised on the family homestead farm. Don was a fourth-generation farmer and cattle rancher. Don attended St. Joseph’s Academy through the eighth grade before graduating from Sprague High School in 1967. Following his graduation, He earned an AA degree from Spokane Community College in mechanical drafting, in 1969. Don served his country as an E5 Sergeant in the U.S. Army, including a year of service in Vietnam from 1970-1971. Returning to Sprague, He joined his dad, Bill Ringwood, in operating the wheat farm and cow-calf operation. He loved caring for the land and his critters. He married Janna R Ringwood (Smith) June 18, 1977. They had two kids, Michelle K Ringwood (July 1979) and Timothy J Ringwood (June 1981) He eventually took over the farm management when Bill retired. Don was one of the first to convert to round hay bales, acquiring his first Case IH wheel tractor and round baler after Mt. Saint Helens blew the ash in 1980. The massive ash fall made the small rectangular bales too heavy. Don designed and manufactured his own trailers to transport the large round bales for storage. Don was a patient teacher to the many people he hired to work for him on R. Farm over the years. He eventually took his retirement and Michelle took over the cow-calf operation. He was always in the window, or in the shop giving Michelle guidance on the subjects. Don served as Lincoln County Fire District #1 (Sprague) Commissioner for thirty years (1990 - 2020), one of his last projects being the Emergency Response building. Don is survived by his wife Janna R Ringwood, his kids Michelle K Ringwood and Timothy (Tim) J Ringwood, Grandkids Liam W (Sapphire) Ringwood and Abby Osborne, and his siblings Sam (Judy) Ringwood, Gerald (Karen) Ringwood, Mary Firestone and numerous Nieces & Nephews, and cousins. A memorial service for Don Ringwood will be held (appropriately) at the Emergency Response Center (Fire Station) at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 4, 2022. The facility is located at 124 Old Airport Road, Sprague, WA. Interment will follow at Macabee Cemetery in Sprague. There is a Viewing at the Danekas Funeral home (in Ritzville) on November 3rd form 12 to 5 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lincoln County Fire District #1 volunteers in Sprague, WA. Or to Jamie Shimek kids 4802 Village View St. Richland WA. 99352. Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville, WA are handling arrangements.