Stephen Ronnebaum

Stanton — Stephen M. Ronnebaum, 68, of Stanton, died unexpectedly on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 at his daughter's home in St. George, KS.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at the funeral chapel in Norfolk. Rev. Terry Buol will officiate.

Pallbearers are Jared Ronnebaum, Dan Holt, Aaron Fletcher, Mike Bourek, Dillon Bourek and Kory Bourek.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the family farm in Seneca, KS.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Steve was born Sept. 2, 1953, in Axtell, KS to Werner and Lorena (Mohrman) Ronnebaum. He was raised in Seneca, KS, where he attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, graduating in 1971. He attended Atchison Vo Tech where he earned a drafting degree.

On Oct. 20, 1973, he married Karlene Deters. He worked for the State of Kansas as a draftsman in the mid-1970s, designing several Kansas highways. He and Karlene returned to Seneca, KS, to start a family. Together they had three children Jill, Sara and Jared. 

During his time in Seneca, he worked for Love and Osterhaus as a carpenter and repaired tractors at Seneca Implement and later Henry Brothers. 

In 1990 he moved to Plainview to work for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads as a surveyor, retiring as a highway designer in 2017. 

He married Patricia Fluckey on Nov. 9, 1991, and added her two daughters Jennifer and Julie to the family. They lived in Plainview until May 2008. They built a home in Stanton where he resided until his death.

Steve spent his retirement helping others with farm work and house projects, gardening and playing cards with his grandkids. He enjoyed being outside, even if it was work. He loved to fish and camp. Gardening was another favorite activity. In the spring he looked forward to picking wild asparagus and hunting mushrooms. Summers were spent planting, picking and weeding in his garden. His wife would say that “a weed didn't dare grow in Steve's garden.” He spent the fall and winter working with wood. He was cutting and splitting it up to the day he died. Although the saw dust would bother him later in life, he enjoyed crafting and shaping many pieces of furniture, picture frames and household items. 

He loved spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his story telling and playing UNO and other card games, especially with his grandchildren. Steve regularly helped his kids, his siblings or his in-laws with any home improvement projects. He was never afraid of hard work. 

Anyone who knew him, knew how ornery he could be. Siblings would tell tales of pranks. His children and grandchildren would attest to his teasing and “leg-pulling,” giggling at his tall tales. 

He was knowledgeable on almost every kind of construction, woodworking and engines. His advice was often sought out by his son and sons-in-law.

Steve is survived by his wife Patricia (Frahm) Ronnebaum of Stanton; four children Jill (Dan) Holt of St. George, KS, Sara (Mike) Bourek of North Bend, Jared (Ashley) Ronnebaum of Crete and Julie (Aaron) Fletcher of Hershey; one son-in-law Jerry Brungardt; 12 grandchildren Dillon Bourek of Lincoln, Kory Bourek of Norfolk, Karlene Bourek, Brandon, Carter and Emily Holt, Ayla and Ansley Ronnebaum, Jesie (Cora) Kohl of Norfolk, Joshua (Kelsie) Kohl of Browns Mill, NJ and Logan and Noah Fletcher; three great-grandchildren Lucas Bourek, Jesika and Kimberlyn Kohl; 11 siblings Donna (Tim-deceased) Sasser of Ashton, MD, Dan Ronnebaum of Seneca, KS, Jean (Scott) Covey of Heritage, MO, Dave (Sherry) Ronnebaum of Axtell, KS, Bill (Becky) Ronnebaum of Seneca, KS, Kathy (John) Welch of Topeka, KS, Mary (Mike) Sack of Seneca, KS, Joan (Lawrence) Davis of Lenexa, KS, John (Noel) Ronnebaum of Augusta, KS, Laurie (Joe) Fangman of St. Joseph, MO and Cheri (Bob) Deters of Seneca, KS; mother-in-law Aggie Frahm of Chambers; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Werner and Lorena Ronnebaum, his wife Karlene (Deters) Ronnebaum, one brother Michael Ronnebaum, one stepdaughter Jennifer Brungardt, one step-grandson Joel Fletcher, his father-in-law Heinrich Frahm, father- and mother-in-law Lawrence and Rachel (Rettele) Deters and two brothers-in-law Tim Sasser and Dan Frahm.

 Online condolences may be left for the family at www.stonacekfu neralchapel.com.