| Ronald “Ron” W. Wells |

Ronald “Ron” W. Wells, 85, of Cotesfield, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to the Elba Fire Department or The Klanecky Five Teacher Scholarship. Contributions can be made to the Ord Public Schools Foundation.

Ronald Wells was born to Harland and Rosabelle (Larsen) Wells at Cotesfield on November 18, 1940, in Howard County. He attended elementary and secondary school at Elba Public Schools and graduated in 1959.

After graduation, Ronald farmed with his father and married Laretta Jess on March 10, 1961. A daughter, Rhonda, was born on January 28, 1962. Laretta passed away in May of 1963, and Ronald continued to farm near Cotesfield.

On July 1, 1966, Ron married Bonnie Klanecky of Ord, and she became the mother of Rhonda. Two sons were born: David in 1968 and Jeff in 1972. Later, Chaniece Kornegay was added to the family. Bonnie passed away on April 15, 2013.

Ronald loved his family, sunrises and sunsets. He was a student of nature.

Survivors are the four children and five grandchildren; sister-in-law, Karen of Grand Island; and brothers and sistersin- law, Roger and Deb of Lexington and Rodney and Linda of Cotesfield.

Ronald was preceded in death by his two wives, Laretta and Bonnie; his brother, Larry; and his parents.

The Phonograph-Herald | March 18, 2026