Ronald D. Cordell

Ron D. Cordell, 48 died Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at his home in Hurley after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be at 10:30am on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Hurley with burial in the Hurley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7pm Sunday at the Hofmeister Jones Funeral Chapel, Hurley. Ron D. Cordell was born on September 13, 1969 at St. Ann’s Hospital in Watertown, SD, to parents Kathy (Amundson) and Denny (Arthur D. Jr.) Briggs. They resided at R.R. Florence, SD. Ron was baptized in the E.U.B. Church at Revillo, SD where his mother and her parents belonged and where his parents were married. Ron was adopted in 1975 by Kathy and Venard Cordell. He was confirmed into the Catholic faith at the age of 16. He attended Catholic , then public school in Watertown, and Jr. and Sr. high school in the Hamlin School District. Among some of the jobs Ron held were farming; working with his uncle doing railside tacks in SD, Winnebago in Forrest City, Iowa; then moving back to SD and worked at U.S. Lawn, seasonal logging (self-employed wood cutting and sale), and Dakota Tube and Custom Fabrication in Watertown. In 2004, Ron and his family moved to the Sioux Falls area, where Ron joined his brother, Adam, doing sheetrock. He then joined High Rollers in Sioux Falls until he became disabled in August of 2012. Ron married Vicki Wellnitz in 1991. 2 children were born to this union: Jacob B. Cordell and Crystal L. Cordell. Being a parent will always be (in his words) the most important part of Ron’s life. He tried to always be there for his kids anytime they needed him. He vowed never to let anyone hurt them. He was, and always be proud of them. Ron was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and target shooting were all a big part of his life. Ron is survived by his children Jacob and Crystal of Hurley; his mother Kathy Grensberg of Hurley; his brother Adam (Leah) Cordell of Sioux Falls; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by his natural father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.