Lydia Ronnekamp

Lydia Ronnekamp, 90, of Gothenburg died February 26, 2008, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

Lydia Clara Anna Schliebe Ronnekamp was born on September 17, 1917 to Julius and Minna (Frentz) Schliebe at their farm home near Columbia, South Dakota. She grew up and attended a one room country school house through 8th grade and then graduated from Columbia High School. Her first job was working in the drug store and after high school she worked in the Post Office before meeting Vern John Ronnekamp, who was her sisteré�a��a��s parochial school teacher. On November 27, 1938 Lydia married Vern at St. Johné�a��a��s Lutheran Church in Columbia. They began their life together in Amherst, Colorado. Then they moved to Hastings and McCook, Nebraska until they settled in Gothenburg. They were blessed with four sons and a daughter; Arlan, Bob, Curt, David and Denie. Lydia co-managed with Vern the Frontier Truck Stop & Oasis Café�© and was there for 13 years. She then went to work for Schriveré�a��a��s Market, where she worked for 30 years and retired when she was 78 years old.

Lydia was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg where she has been very active. She taught Sunday school and Confirmation for a number of years. She was also a member of the American Lutheran Quilters and the Prayer Circle. Lydiaé�a��a��s favorite hobby was baking wonderful breads, cakes, cookies, pies and her famous cinnamon rolls and thumbprint cookies. She also enjoyed miniatures, playing Pinochle, Bridge and Kings in the Corner. Her life revolved around her family, and she was the happiest when the kids and their families would visit. They would sit around the kitchen table talking and telling stories about fun family memories.

Lydia is survived by four sons: Arlan (Tip) Ronnekamp of Gothenburg, NE, Bob Ronnekamp of Gothenburg, NE, Curt (Carolyn) Ronnekamp of Towanda, IL, David (Donna) Ronnekamp of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter: Denie (Bryan Nordin) Ronnekamp of Denver, CO; 10 grandchildren: Tracy (Barry), Kurt (Susan), Chad, Carmen, Andy (Tabbatha), Stephanie, Amber, Whitney, Geoffrey, Jayme; 6 great-grandchildren: Halie, Reilly, Cameron, Jacob, Colby, Zoey; her sister Ellie Poe of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister-in-law June Schliebe of Aberdeen, SD; many nephews and nieces and a multitude of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vern and four brothers Herb, John, Heinz, Kurt and one sister Erica.

Memorials are suggested to the American Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg with the Rev. Matthew Groenke and Lonna Grabenstien, Parish Ministry Associate, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, with family being present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg.