Ronald Eugene Meester, 64, of North Platte, Nebraska, died Sunday, March 18th, 2012, at his home in North Platte following a battle with COPD and Emphysema.

He was born June 16th, 1947 in Gothenburg, Nebraska; son of Walter J. and Hannah (Johanning) Meester. He grew up in Gothenburg and attended Gothenburg Public Schools.

Ron had many different jobs throughout his life, but he always said that the best time of his life was when he was the site supervisor at Windy Peak outdoor lab in Bailey, Colorado. He was able to work with the school kids from the Jefferson County School system teaching them outdoor activities. Ron loved to be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and driving his truck. He was a woodworker and metal worker. He enjoyed spending time with his cat Amber and his dog Toad. Ron has lived at the Pawnee Hotel since 2006. That is where he met Karin whom he loved to spend time with and took care of him until his death. He made some great friends while living at the Pawnee.

Ron is survived by special friend and caregiver, Karin Cain of North Platte; brother, Bob (Priscilla) Meester of Lexington, Nebraska; sisters, Shirley G. (Ed) Claflin of Gothenburg, Bonnie (Clifford) Wedemeyer of Cheyenne, Wyoming; former spouses, Linda McCollum, Carol Volesky; sister-in-law, Linda Meester of Cozad, Nebraska; nieces, Michelle (Mike) Courtney of Lincoln, Nebraska, Melissa (Terry) Walker of Gothenburg, Heide Deharty of Grand Island, Nebraska, Becky Brooks of North Platte, Angie (Bill) Shafer of Centennial, Colorado, Brenda (Brett) Manus of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Johannah (Eric) Ducy of Wheatland, Wyoming, Kim (Todd) Rosenthal of Lincoln, Amanda G'Schwind of Lexington; nephews, Wyatt (Sandy) Meester of Cozad, William (Erica) Wedemeyer of Cheyenne, Wyoming, great and great grand nieces and nephews; cousins and his Pawnee Retirement Hotel family.

Ronald was preceded in death by father, Walter J. Meester; mother, Hannah Meester; brothers, Larry in 2006 and infant brother, Terry Lavern; infant sister, Betty Lou; grandparents, Folkert and Ellen Johanning and Wyatt and Grace Meester.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, (today), Thursday, March 22nd, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Matthew Groenke officiating. Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the family, 1925 Ave C., Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser. com.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg is in charge of arrangements.