Final Salute

September 9, 1930 – September 13, 2026

Ronald D. Glasser, 96, of Clarks, died on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at his home near Clarks. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Clarks at 2 p.m. with Pastor Doug McHargue officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City from 5-7 p.m. Interment will be held at the Clarks Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Ronald D. Glasser was born September 9, 1930, to Ralph M. and Mildred E. (Cole) Glasser at the family home along the Blue River near Polk, Nebraska.

Ronald began his 1st grade education at Maple Grove District #59, and as he entered 2nd grade, a gal in 1st grade caught his eye, and she was never forgotten. In March 1938, before completing 2nd grade, Ronald, his parents and younger brother moved to a farm northeast of Clarks. He completed his elementary education at the Hartwell District #7 school and graduated from Clarks High School with the class of 1948.

Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1951, Ronald’s training began in San Diego with Seabee training completed at Port Hueneme, California. He was then transferred to Davisville, Rhode Island, which served as home base while serving 2 tours of duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and 2 tours at Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Africa. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he continued his education at UNL Ag College and Milford Trade School, and helped his father on the farm.

In the fall of 1956, Ronald called that girl from Polk he had never forgotten, love blossomed and he married Dorothy A. Dahlin on May 25, 1957, at the Polk Methodist Church. Having been offered a position as cartographer in Lincoln, but wanting more diversification than a 9 to 5 daily job would provide, Ronald with Dorothy chose farming in the Clarks community. They became parents of Debra Ann, who at the age of 19 months was called to her Heavenly Home, and later Ronda was born.

Ronald enjoyed sharing the ‘travel bug’ with family, taking Dorothy and Ronda throughout Europe as well as Northern Africa. He and Dorothy traveled to Asia, Central and South America, Canada, and Mexico. Ronald completed his travels to all 50 United States, and he traveled five of the world’s continents with plans for the final two having to be canceled. With photography as a hobby, he captured many photos during these travels which he and Dorothy created into slideshows and shared with a variety of community organizations.

Hunting was a hobby which brought venison to the table. Coins and stamps, especially from travels, added to the history and genealogical hobbies. After purchasing neighboring land in 1973 which included historical Junction Ranch and the Hartwell School, his interest in history spiked, and he assisted with the publishing of the Clarks History book as Chair of the Clarks Bicentennial Historical Marker Project in 1976 installing granite markers on

Clarks’ historical sites. Ronald and Dorothy republished the Clarks History in 2000. Over a 1000 books were published between the two books. He also was responsible for erecting a Civil War cemetery stone for his great grandfather and a marker for his grandmother and great aunt. Genealogy included acquiring the tracing of his family’s history to 1066 and sharing it with relatives.

Ronald was an active member of the Clarks Methodist Church for 82 years serving in numerous capacities, but most importantly as Sunday School Superintendent, Financial Secretary and Historian. He assisted Dorothy with the compilation of five volumes of ‘History Comes Alive’ of the Clarks Methodist Church from its beginning in the 1860’s to the present which is currently housed at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Fraternal organizations included Past Master of Solar Lodge #134–Clarks, 32nd Degree Mason, Past Illustrious Master of Lebanon Council #24, High Priest of Merrick Chapter #26–

Central City, Commander of Commandery #6–Grand Island, and held offices in Ivy Chapter #210 and Arbor Chapter #200 of the Order of Eastern Star.

Ronald had served as Director of the Merrick Historical Society, trustee of Merrick Foundation, a Board of Director of Farmers Co-op and in the 1960’s worked for the ASCS and lifetime memberships of VFW Post 4832, American Legion Post #6, Lebanon Council #24, Merrick Chapter #26, Commandery #6, NRA, and Navy Seabee Veterans of America. In 2016, Ronald, along with Dorothy, received the Central City Nonpareil Persons of the Year Award. He was the longest serving member on the Litzenberg Hospital Board of Directors for over 30 years, resigning in 2017 after a merger with Bryan Medical.

Ronald was a loyal husband, father, and grandfather, whose family always came first.

He is survived by his daughter, Ronda, grandson, Nicholas, granddaughter, Sophia, and brother Marvin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Dahlin); his parents, Ralph and Mildred; and his daughter Debra Ann.