Ronald Lee Blaesi

May 1, 2022

Ronald Lee Blaesi of Sharon Spring, KS, 72, passed after a brief illness on April 23, 2022, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.
Ron was the son of Dwight Duane and Vlasta (Holsan) Blaesi.  He was born in Emporia, KS on May 28, 1949, and lived in many small towns in Kansas before graduating from Scott City High School in 1967.  He earned a B.A. in History from Kansas State University in 1971.
After graduation Ron joined his father farming in Sharon Springs and then purchased land of his own.  Ron and Dwight farmed together for many years, until Dwight’s retirement, and Ron assumed management of the farms.
Ron married Shirley Ann Eilert on September 2, 1978, in Sharon Springs.  Four children were born to this union:  LeAnn Renee (Jeremy) Hansford of Strong City, KS, Duane Ray Blaesi of Omaha, NE, Jacqueline Marie Blaesi-Freed (Ryan) of Alexandria, VA, and Elizabeth Jean Blaesi of Phoenixville, PA.  Ron enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren, Heidi Agnes (11) and Addison Ava (7) Hansford and Owen William Freed (8). 
Ron was a current board member of Western Plains Energy, LLC Oakley, KS; Western Plains Wind, LLC, Oakley, KS; and Fort Wallace Memorial Association, Wallace, KS.  He was a past board member of Wallace County Farm Bureau, Kansas Corn Commission, and Kansas Wheat Commission.
Ron and Shirley enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren and exploring the southwest and northwest parts of the United States.  Recently Ron had a newfound interest in stargazing as a result of spending reunion time with his brother and sister.  He was also known for his dowsing abilities and called upon frequently to find water or graves.  He was an avid reader, especially of western novels by Zane Gray and Louis L’Amour.  
Ron was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a few of his cousins.  
Ron is survived by his wife Shirley of the home, his children, LeAnn, Duane, Jackie, and Beth, sister LaVon Blaesi of Ft. Collins, CO and a brother John (Mary) Blaesi of Bartlesville, OK. 
Visitation will be held at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs on Wednesday, April 27, from 5-7 PM MT.  Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs at 10:30 AM MT on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Wallace County EMS, Ft. Wallace Memorial Association, or the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735. 
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.