Dorothy Ann Ronnau, 90, of Alma, Kansas, died peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was a life-long resident of the community.
Dorothy was born August 10, 1928 in Topeka, KS, the second of eleven children born to John E. and Eleanor Tenbrink Schwalm. She attended school in Alma graduating from Alma High School in 1946. During her school years, some of her time was spent working on the family farm, east of Alma on Kuenzli Creek.
Dorothy worked at Capper Publications in Topeka, O.A. Sutton Corporation in Wichita and Ford Aircraft in Claycomo, Missouri.
She married Theophil “T” Ronnau on April 19, 1952 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Alma. He died September 22, 2017. They lived in Overland Park until Dorothy and T. joined the family farming operation in 1958. In 1969 Dorothy began working at the First National Bank in Alma until her retirement in 1993.
Dorothy was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she served on the church council and many years as bookkeeper. She was involved in many other aspects of the church, including being a member of the Altar Society, helping with soup suppers and bazaars and the weekly social time with parishioners after Sunday Mass.
Dorothy enjoyed watching her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. She also enjoyed when her family got together, especially the informal times. She always made sure there was plenty food to eat. Dorothy and T enjoyed dancing and took advantage of every opportunity to get on the dance floor.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Charles Allen on June 13, 1958. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Father Don Schwalm and one sister, Nyla Schwalm.
She is survived by three sons, Larry Ronnau (Lesa), Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ron Ronnau (Louise), Conway Springs and Todd Ronnau (Shebi), Sachse, Texas: Two daughters, Marian Berry (Ken), Topeka and Lois Miller (Scott), Chesterfield, Missouri: Two brothers, John R. Schwalm and Roger Schwalm. Six sisters, Darlene Bloomfield, Edna Baldwin, Wilma Wilmer, Mary Button, Letha Elsasser and Maxine Schwalm: eleven grandchildren, Emily Ronnau, Katie Grant, Rachel Schmanke, Ben Ronnau, Thad Ronnau, Derek Berry, Hillary Hodges, Sam Miller, Julie Miller, Makenzi Ronnau and Chase Ronnau: and fifteen great-grandchildren, Marlie, Ainslie and Theo Grant, Molly, Sadie, Amelia and Corinne Schmanke, Cole, Drake, Blaise, Alleynah, Ynes and Kaelyn Ronnau, and Nolan and Olivia Berry.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, August 2, 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Alma, Kansas. Father Mike Peterson will be the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Dorothy will lie-in-state on Thursday, at Holy Family Church Hall beginning at 4:00 pm, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A rosary prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Holy Family Cemetery Fund, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home.