Ronda R. Howard, 74, Bennington, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born Ronda R. Werner on July 4, 1951, in Salina to Harold (Sam) and Vivian (Vaupel) Werner.
Ronda was a graduate of Bennington High School. She and Leonard “Bud” Howard were united in marriage on February 28, 1976. She served on the Bennington City Council and also as mayor.
Ronda worked many jobs in her lifetime, including Tony's Pizza, the Bennington Cafe, the Bennington Post Office, and Farmers and Ranchers Livestock. Many people remember her smile when she worked at the gas station in Bennington. She was also a volunteer dispatcher with the Bennington Fire Department for many years. Outside of work, she was known to always be willing to lend a hand when needed, from taking elaborate meals to the harvest field, to making her famous Tex-Mex dip for every potluck, to pet-sitting, she was always willing to help. Ronda also was willing to go to great lengths for her daughter.
She drove to countless volleyball and basketball games, picked up giggling groups of pre-teen girls after the late-night sock hops at the skating rink in Salina, and supported her through the good times and bad.Ronda had such a beautifully caring and nurturing spirit.
Her deep love for animals shone through in the way she tended to the many dogs, cats, goats, horses, and various other animals that Nikki brought home that blessed her life over the years. Strays tended to know just how to find her, knowing they would be loved and spoiled. To her, they were never just pets; they were family, each one held close in her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents and countless pets that were all so happy to greet her at the Rainbow Bridge.
Survivors are her husband, Bud; daughter, Nikki Sutton and husband, Shanon and their 4 fur babies; and siblings, Kevin Werner and wife, Stephanie, Elden Werner and wife, Ruth, and Janet Werner.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 13 at the United Church of Bennington. Attendees are invited to wear purple and blue jeans.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bennington Fire and E.M.S. or Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue and Retirement and may be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.