Ronald V. Wartner

RONALD VIRGIL WARTNER was born on November 24, 1940, in Lake Benton, Minnesota to Virgil and Mildred (Gagnon) Wartner. Ron grew up north of Lake Benton on the family farm and attended country school. He graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1959. He continued to work on the family farm while working at the Pipestone Tribune. On October 3, 1964, Ron married Karen Budnick in Tyler, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children and 55 years of marriage. In 1973, they moved to Willmar, Minnesota where Ron continued his printing career at the West Central Tribune as a foreman and supervisor. Ron and Karen moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1997, following Ron's retirement. On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Ron passed away at the age of 78 years, five months, and 21 days.

Ron was a member of St. Ann Parish in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Ron loved to go dancing, playing cards and being with his grandchildren. He was a prankster, always playing tricks on his children and grandchildren and laughing so hard he would cry. He loved to give gifts and to always hire a Santa Clause for his children when they were young, and then for his grandchildren.

Ron is lovingly remembered by his wife, Karen; his three children, Kristi Pietig and her husband, Mick, of New London, Minnesota, Cory Wartner and his wife, Sara, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Shawn Gast of Platte City, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Joshua, Mariah, Levi, Mason, Tyler, Brystol, Aaron, and Kelsey; and one great-grandchild, Kamden; brother, Wayne and his wife, Marlene Wartner, of Arizona; sister-in-law, Diane Wartner of Marshall, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Valgene Wartner.