Funeral services for Ronald "Ron" Cornelius, age 81, longtime Lemmon area businessman, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD. Rev. Bob Edwards will officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a gathering of friends and family at 5:00 p.m. all at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

Ronald Milton Cornelius was born on November 21, 1933 to Oscar and Mamie Cornelius of Rosholt, South Dakota, where he was raised and graduated from Rosholt High School in 1951.

Ron married Gloria Olson in May 1955 after graduating from South Dakota State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. Ron worked as a pharmacy intern under George Bartholomew during college, and purchased Smith's Rexall Drug from Archie Smith. Ron served the Lemmon community as a pharmacist for over 50 years at Smith's Rexall Drug in Lemmon, South Dakota where Ron and Gloria made their lifelong home and raised their four children.

Ron was an avid sportsman, involved in all types of sports including football, baseball, and basketball in his younger days, and outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing through his entire life. Ron was honored by the Grand River Sportsman's Club in 2010 as the club's honoree at their annual walleye tournament. Sharing his love of fishing and friendship at the cabin at Shadehill Lake was where Ron could be found when he was not filling prescriptions.

Civic-minded and committed to the service of others, Ron was actively involved in the Lemmon Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lemmon High School Board of Education, Lemmon Volunteer Fire Department, Lemmon Junior Livestock program, Lemmon High School Football "chain gang," National Rifle Association, Duck's Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Grand River Sportman's Club to name a few. Ron was honored by the Lions Clubs International Foundation as a Melvin Jones Fellow "For dedicated and humanitarian service."

A long-time member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Ron served on the church council, and as a Luther League youth group advisor with Gloria. Serving God and serving others was the cornerstone of Ron's life, and he was a friend to all. Ron lived his life by the simple Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

Ron was a strong supporter of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life and the Bismarck Cancer Center. He began his cancer journey in 2010 with successful radiation treatments, and continued his courageous battle with cancer with his family by his side.

Known far and wide for his positive attitude, whistling a tune, humming, and yodeling, "Honest Ron" will be remembered for his kindness and sense of humor.

Surrounded by his family, Ron passed away on Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2015 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, 10 months, Gloria Cornelius, Lemmon, SD; one son, Dan Cornelius, Hettinger, ND; three daughters, Debbie (Dwight) Wenner and Pam (Doug) Schackow, all of Lemmon, SD, and Heather (Shane) Jordan, Redfield, SD; 12 grandchildren Josh Wenner (special friends, Marla and Micah), Justin (Sara) Wenner, Janci (Jeff) Herr, Lisa (Jesse) Huschle, Daniel (Kaylee) Cornelius, Reanne Cornelius, Damon Cornelius, Megan (John) Riedy, Mandy Schackow, Kayla Jordan, Brady Jordan and Zach Jordan; 11 great-grandchildren, Addy and Marley Wenner, Landon, Kinley and Baby Wenner, Alivia, Abigail and Baby Boy Huschle, Eli, Carter and Brody Cornelius; his special pet dog, Lucy; three brothers, Curtis (Lenore) Cornelius, Grand Forks, ND, Charley (Darleen) Cornelius, Oak Park Heights, MN and Stan (Sharon) Cornelius, Rosholt, SD; one sister, Marian Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Bud and Agnes Cornelius; and his brother-in-law, Darrell Nelson.

A memorial has been established.