Wedel, Ronald Dwight (1932-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 Sep 13 p. 2; 2004 Sep 14 p. 2

Birth date: 1932 Aug 13

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Oct 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

Ronald Dwight Wedel, 72, of Moundridge, Kan., died Sept. 13, 2004. He was born Aug. 13, 1932, to Jacob A. and Lillie E. Wedel at Newton.

He lived in the Moundridge community all of his life. He was baptized upon his confession of faith at Eden Mennonite Church on May 16, 1948. He graduated from Moundridge High School in 1950.

He married Florene M. Flickner on Aug. 28, 1956.

He enjoyed farming and farm life, but most of all he loved working with sheep. He began raising sheep in 4-H and continued for more than 60 years. He loved to show his sheep and exhibited a champion ewe or ram at more than 40 state or national shows. He was on the board of directors for the American Southdown Sheep Breeders Association for 18 years and served as president in 1984-85. In an effort to keep his flock one of the best in the country, he imported Southdown rams from New Zealand. The North American Livestock Exposition honored him in 1994, naming the show "The Ronald Wedel Family National Southdown Show" in dedication to his many years of service to the sheep industry.

He served as district secretary for Mennonite Hilfs-Plan Insurance Company for 34 years. He served on the board of directors for 29 years. He was involved in community activities: 4-H club leader, Moundridge FFA Ag Advisory Board and Moundridge Centennial Committee. He had a passion for politics and served as precinct committeeman for 35 years.

Family was important to him. He enjoyed the activities of his children and grandchildren. He moved to Memorial Home in 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Florene; three sons, Duane and his wife, LaDonna, Dwight and his wife, Dixie, and Dennis; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Robert Howard.

Memorial services were held at Eden Mennonite Church of rural Moundridge. Burial was in Eden Mennonite Church Cemetery.