Ronald D. Wendt

A Celebration of Life Gathering for Ronald D. Wendt, age 62, of Early, Iowa formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa will be held Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. Masks are not required, however social distancing is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ron Wendt family to offset recent medical expenses. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Ronald D. Wendt, age 62 of Early, IA passed away on March 27, 2021. Ron was the son of Duane and Dona (Kummelehne) Wendt, and born January 12, 1959, in Sumner, Iowa. He was baptized on April 5, 1959 and confirmed in April of 1973, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. Ron received his education at Sumner schools and was in the graduating class of 1977. After High school, Ron earned his certificate in Iowa’s Girls’ High School Athletic Union as an approved official for jr. high girls’ basketball and worked for Lampe’s Construction until 1984. Ron married the love of his life, Michele Kerns on July 14, 1984 in Sumner. Ron and Michele had Jennifer Anne (December ‘84) and moved to Liberal, Kansas at the beginning of the year in 1985. Ron and Michele resided in Liberal while Ron worked at National Beef for four years. Tyler Duane (October ‘85) and Travis Lee (April ‘88) were born. Ron and the family then moved to Storm Lake, Iowa in 1988. Ron began working at IBP/Tyson for 33 years. While residing in Storm Lake, Jodi Michele (July ‘94) was born, completing the Wendt family. Ron enjoyed being a dad to his four children. When not working and providing for his family, Ron was busy with the kids. He was the biggest fan for each one of his kids and their sports, although Ron was a quiet man, when “that play” was made by his kid, the whole crowd knew. When kids were not busy with sports/school events or getting into trouble, Ron enjoyed playing slow pitch softball, men’s golf league, and bowling league. Ron also enjoyed spending time with his wife, whether it was going out to for breakfast every Sunday morning, taking random road trips, or spending time with their grandchildren. Ron is survived by his wife, Michele Wendt of Early; his children, Jennifer Peterson (Jake) of Early, Tyler Wendt of Schaller, Travis (Izze) Wendt of Storm Lake, and Jodi (Jake) Randolph of Sac City; eight grandchildren, Carson and Ryan, Summer and Callie, Lilian and Nicolas, Kris and Jalen; his mother, Dona Wendt of Sumner; siblings, Larry (Siony) Wendt of Las Vegas, Nevada, Bonnie Buckendahl of Sumner, Sue Oberbroeckling of Sumner, Diane (Jerry) Haar of Sumner, and Becky Avery of Denver, Colorado; many aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Duane Wendt; mother/father-in-law Karen and Jim Yungtum; brothers-in-laws, Todd Kasemeier, Greg Buckendahl, Don Kerns, and Charlie Oberbroeckling; nephew, Ryan Haar.

Ronald D. Wendt

January 12, 1959 - March 27, 2021