In Memory Of
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Kathleen M. Ronnebaum
St. Benedict, Kansas
03/12/1950 - 05/07/2019
Kathleen Ogle Ronnebaum, 69, of Baileyville, Kansas passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 7, 2019 at the family farm home, northwest of St. Benedict. Kathleen (Kate) suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) since early 2016.
Kathleen was born on March 12, 1950 in Stafford, Kansas, daughter of Virgil and Esther Carter Ogle. The family moved to Hutchinson in 1955, where Kathleen attended elementary through high school. She graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1972 with a degree in history with an emphasis on Slavic studies. She earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Emporia State University in 1974 and a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in gifted education from Kansas State University in 1980. She had moved to Seneca, Kansas in 1973 where she taught in Nemaha Valley Public School and the Nemaha-Marshall Special Education Co-op for 30 years.
She and Elmer Ronnebaum were married on October 30, 1976 at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict, Kansas. They were active members of the church and were involved in and supported many community affairs and projects.
Kathleen taught gifted students for the majority of her career. She led many academic activities, such as Geography Bee, Scholar’s Bowl and math competitions. She conducted many presentations on art, artists, architecture and more. As a gifted education teacher, she encouraged students and helped them attain goals that set many of them on lifetime careers in technology and finance. Kathleen was recognized regionally for her artistic ability as she designed and pieced hundreds of quilts and many other sewing projects, donating scores of them to charitable causes. She was a founding member of the Seneca Quilt Guild. She greatly enjoyed designing and making quilts of all sizes, teaching sewing tutorials, and meeting with the Quilt Guild members. She was also involved in the Kansas Quilters Organization and served as its President for several years. She also loved reading, baking, gardening, and travel.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Elmer; a son David, Lawrence, Kansas, and daughter Sarah, Washington, DC; and her siblings, Nancy Ogle of Wichita, Kansas and Mark Ogle of Lawrence, Kansas.
A Prayer Service will be held at Lauer Funeral Home on Friday, May 10th at 7 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be left in Kathleen’s memory to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and/or the Seneca Public Library.
A Prayer Service will be held at Lauer Funeral Home on Friday, May 10th at 7 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
A Prayer Service will be held at Lauer Funeral Home on Friday, May 10th at 7 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
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Elmer Sarah and David we are so sorry for you loss. Kate was an active person who enjoyed people, teaching and in general keeping busy. She was very proud of your accomplishments and kept me updated on your education and jobs. May your many memories of her help you adjust to her loss. She was a one of a kind person. Love and prayers. Arminda and Jim Feldkamp
I knew her at Grinnell as Kogle. She had a great group of friends from her freshman dorm that coalesced during our four years there. The girls continued to get together frequently, often with a quilting focus, and often at her place in KS. The group morphed to include others beyond that freshman contingent. For some that was quite a schlep and an indication of the life-long bonds they developed in College. She has been loved by many constituencies and will be sorely missed!
I’m truly sorry for your loss. Kate was a pleasure to be around & a great example of how we should all live & treat others. Our loss & Heaven’s gain. She’ll be missed.
So sorry for your loss Kate was one I can say I never heard speak badly about anyone, a lesson we could all benefit from.Hugs and prayers for peace.
I only knew Kathleen through our state Kansas Quilters Organization, and mainly through our yearly Golden Oldies retreat for that group’s present and past board members. She and I had many long conversations, mostly centered on education, especially our shared interest in gifted education. Neither one of us were shy about using words, and we seemed to bond immediately. I always looked forward to seeing her and have been so sad since we heard her diagnosis. Her death leaves all of us poorer with a truly loving, caring and super intelligent light extinguished. She will always be in my memory as a truly wonderful person and enthusiastic friend.
Oh! What a loss! Kathleen and I share many memories from our early teaching years. I am glad God placed her in my life. She was an inspiration to all as an educator. My sincere sympathy to Elmer, David, and Sarah. I am sorry that I will be unable to attend Kathleen’s funeral services. I will miss seeing and visiting with each of you. May you be filled with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Kathleen is a friend from high school in Hutchinson KS. Her Mother was my geometry teacher. I am lucky to have known both of them. Kathleen was smart, kind, had a great sense of humor and just a joy to be around. I’ve seen her only 5 or 6 times since high school – weddings, reunions, vacations. The most recent was about 10 years ago when her quilting group was in a nearby town. I drove there to meet her for lunch. It was just like old times. After that only Christmas cards until last year I was honored to prepare a genealogy for both branches of her family. Death ends a life but not a relationship. I am sad that she is gone but I am happy that Kathleen will always be my friend.
Elmer, David and Sarah – we are so very sorry for your loss. Kathleen was a friend, colleague, dedicated educator and loving Mom and wife. She was so passionate about reading, quilting and knowledge. If I had a question, I always knew she would have the answer or would find it. She touched so many lives in education and was a positive, happy role model. I’m so very blessed to have known her.
Elmer our hearts are broken for you. Kathleen was such a gifted and exceptional woman and we are so
Blessed to have had her in our life. One of her quilts is among our most prized possessions. The two of you held a very special place in our hearts and you still do. Our prayers will continue to be lifted up for you We will not be able to attend her services as our granddaughter is being married on the 11th and our presence is mandatory. Please know we will be thinking of you and praying for God’s peace that passes all understanding to surround you and your children
To all of Kathleen’s family and friends, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I knew her the past 40 years or so, which is a long time and yet distant residence kept me from being around her as much as I would have liked. She was so talented, happy and bright and fun to be around. I know her sister Nancy loved her greatly, and having a sister myself, I can relate to that unique relationship and it brings me sorrow to think of this new void in your life, Nancy. May the peace and love of God be of comfort to you all.
What a wonderful person, our Kathy Ogle. I visited her once at Grinnell. I wondered why she would attend one of our finest liberal arts colleges. They teach you how to think, how to earn conclusions through critical evaluation. Kathy already knew how to do that with rapier wit and great wisdom. We lay in the grass watching the school’s famous bats return to the abandoned brick chimney. She gave so fully of herself to the things she believed in. And thus, she will live on in the lives she so graciously touched.
Kathy and I were classmates at Hutchinson High School graduating in 1968. Her obituary reflected the memories I had of Kathy; kind, loving, caring and full of faith.
Know that she is safe in God’s arms…
I am so very sorry to hear this. I am Mark’s age and we lived across the alley from each other during grade school. I remember she was so sweet! It sounds like she was an amazing lady and loved to help people. My prayers to her family for peace during this time.. May beautiful memories keep her close to your hearts always.
Nancy Dutton
Sorry for your loss. I am glad I had the chance to meet her and to get to know you Elmer and Sara. May you be comforted. You are a wonderful family.
Elmer and family I want to pass my sincerest condolences to you all. May she rest in peace.
My deepest sympathy to all of you. The loss of Kathleen will be missed by all who knew her. She was a loving, caring, and giving lady. May she Rest In Peace!
Elmer, My words cannot fully express the sorrow I feel after learning about the death of your beloved Kate. May you ever treasure the wonderful times you shared. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family.
Elmer so sorry to hear of Kate’s death. I still tell ladies I meet about her amazing quilts. Elmer hugs to you and your family at this difficult time.
Elmer and family,
We feel for all of you in this time. Kathleen was always cheerful and great to visit with as I knew her from the KRWA conventions for over 30 years. Losing a loved one is never easy but rest assured that you will see her again. She can now rest and be at peace. May Gods peace be with all of you during this time. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Arkansas Rural Water Association’s Board of Directors and Staff would like to express our deepest sympathy during your time of loss.
Elmer and family, just a note to let you know that i continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Each time you spoke of her, I could see such extraordinary love you have for her. What a blessing she was to so many. With sincere condolences, Deb
Elmer, David, and Sarah,
Your mom and wife loved you all dearly. Throughout the years she has told me so many wonderful stories about all of you and the pleather of experiences and adventure you took together. She was a wonderful educator that knew the best way to learn was from experience. David and Sarah she was so proud of what you have become. She spread so many talents with all of us other educators like her Incredible knowledge, how to draw knowledge, and of course her amazing skill of baking. I have had one too many cookies throughout the years. No matter what diet I was on, there was always room for her cookies. She has touched so many lives directly and indirectly throughout her life. My own daughter had the privilege to visit her every morning her kindergarten year because are classrooms were by each other. She will greatly be missed but our memories will last forever. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Darin and Amy Schmitz
Elmer, i was so saddened to hear of your loss and equally saddened to learn that Kate was still so young. i know that we are not guaranteed a designated amount of time on earth, but most of us hope to have good health, be mentally stable, live long enough to watch our grandchildren grow up, and enjoy many years of retirement. Many are not afforded that opportunity and that is sad. i mainly new Kate from the Annual Water Conference in Wichita and tried unsuccessfully for 23 consecutive years to win one of the three quilts that she made sure were available annually and on display throughout the Conference. They were so beautiful and i was always so disappointed when i failed to win one. i even tried unsuccessfully to buy some of the quilts over the years, but no one was willing to part with their newly acquired, prized possession. I also loved chatting with Kate at the conferences that she was able to attend. She laughed so easily and made me feel very special and appreciated. Kate was one-of-a-kind and will be missed. Elmer, you were so fortunate to have such a wonderful woman in your life and i cannot imagine the heart felt pain you are now experiencing. i will pray for you AND Kate. May God be with you and help ease your pain as you continue to mourn the loss of your beloved wife. Forever your friend, Steve T.
I have only known Kathleen during my first attendance at BOTP in 2018. I remember her as a special and most helpful lady. I will say the rosary for her although I know she is at peace with the Lord.
Kathleen was a very talented and dear friend to many of us at Baltimore on the Prairie. My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family. She was a very special, caring and fun loving lady and she will be missed.