Ralph Dale Wells

Ralph Dale Wells, 101, of Washington, Kan., died August 30, 2019 at the Washington County Hospital. Visitation was Thursday, September 5, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 6 at the Washington United Methodist Church.  Rev. Dan Norwood officiated. The pallbearers were Aaron Wells, Jason Wells, Jacob Holland, Josiah Holland, Isaiah Holland, Micah Holland and Nathanael Holland. Burial was in the Morrowville Cemetery. Dale was born March 24, 1918 near Morrowville, Kan., to Harry R. and Lillie O. (Green) Wells. He graduated high school in 1936 and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a farmer and rancher until he started selling and installing Surge Dairy Equipment. Dale handled the dairy barn projects from start to finish, make the sale, work as a carpenter, licensed plumber, qualified electrician and service technician. After retiring, he worked maintenance at the Homestead Nursing Home in Washington. Dale was a member of the Methodist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post #101 in Clay Center and served as 4th District Commander. He was also a Life member of the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and being a “jack of all trades”. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marjorie; daughter, Nancy Lee Wells; and siblings, Lyle R. Wells, Guy J. Wells, Blaine Wells, Opal Marie Wells and Orle Belle Prellwitz. Survivors include two sons, Phil F. (Marjorie) Wells, Newton, Kan., and Mike D. (Maureen) Wells, Manhattan, Kan.; two daughters, Maribeth (Samuel) Brown, Topeka, Kan., and Kitty Jo (Andrew) Holland, Russell, Kan.; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to American Legion Post #101 in Clay Center. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Dale Wells, please visit our flower store.