Ron Wettels

Ron Wettels, Age 70, of Maricopa, AZ passed away unexpectedly on January 30th, 2024 at Chandler Regional Medical Center with his family by his side.  
 
Ron was born August 8, 1953 to Shirley Wettels ( Letourneau) in Grand Rapids, MN and adopted by Harold (Bud) Wettels.  He grew up in Minnesota and North Dakota with his brother Steve and sisters Vicki, Teresa and Jackie.  His family moved around to many places landing in Lawton, ND in 1969.  He graduated from Edmore High School in 1971 and  after graduation, entered the Navy. He spent 6 years in the Navy serving on the repair frigate USS Hector (AR-7).
 
In 1974, he married Nancy Pesek of Lawton, ND and they moved to California. They had two children, Nicholas (1977) and Jessica (1980). After serving honorably in the Navy, they settled in Mandan, ND until 1988 when they moved to Hastings, MN.  They divorced in 1993.  Ron worked as a pipe fitter at Koch Refinery until he retired in 2013.
 
Ron was a very intelligent man who enjoyed life, his family and hot weather.  In 2020, his love of hot weather and Collette Thompkins-Bell brought them both to Maricopa, AZ where they built their dream home, to Ron’s specifications of course.  They made every day together fun with daily exercise and suntanning in their pool and took great pride in his Dodge Charger.  Ron was known by many names; Dad, Brother, Son, Friend, Grandpa and “Beanhead”.  He thoroughly loved traveling to tropical locations, visiting family, attending his grandchildren’s activities and fishing in ND.  He was fabulous at trivia and cards, especially Pinochle.  Ron was a simple yet particular man who knew what he wanted and rarely complained.  He would do anything for his friends and family no matter what.  He was hilarious and kept his loved ones laughing.  A big joker, one often didn’t know if Ron was telling you the truth but you’d always end up laughing.  
 
Ron is survived by his love, Collette, son Nicholas Wettels (Joy), daughter Jessica Burkhart (Scott) and his grandchildren Brady (26), Kris (15) and Rosemary (12) and his devoted siblings Vicki Lorenz, Steve (Michelle) Wettels, Teresa Weott; Jackie (Randy) Schmidt and many nieces and nephews.  Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Daryl Lorenz.  
 
A Celebration of Life was held in Maricopa, AZ on February 2nd with his incredible community of friends.  A similar event, funeral and ceremony will be held in Hastings, MN and Sanger ND.  Details are forthcoming. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sanger Cemetery: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=N9C3BDXBLHXDY

 - Or -

 Sanger Cemetery, North Dakota
 c/o Jackie Schmidt
 2320 Hwy 25
 Center, ND 58530