Virgil E. Ronnebaum

Virgil E. Ronnebaum, 96, Axtell, died Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Nemaha Valley Hospital in Seneca. Visitation was Wednesday, September 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Wednesday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell.  A funeral service was at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 26, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated.  Musicians were Emily Ronnebaum, Robin McKay and Cheryl Reinecke.  Music selections were "Blest Are They," "You Are Mine," "The Lord is My Hope," "Amazing Grace" and "Be Not Afraid". The pallbearers were Brian Friedrich, Chad West, Brett Ronnebaum, Joshua Meyer, Blake Ronnebaum, Kevin Ronnebaum, Eric Broxterman and Justin Ronnebaum. Burial was in the church cemetery. Virgil was born on May 23, 1923 near Baileyville, KS, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Reinecke) Ronnebaum. He attended school at Baileyville. Virgil joined the U.S. Army in August of 1944 and served until July of 1946.  On February 7, 1948, he was united in marriage to Rozella Kuckelman. They celebrated 71 beautiful years of marriage together. Virgil was a farmer all his life. In 1987, he passed on his responsibilities to his sons and moved off of the farm into town. Virgil was a part of many organizations. He was on the township board, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the American Legion. He was an active member of St. Michael’s catholic church in Axtell. One of Virgil’s greatest passions was restoring Farmall tractors. He worked on or restored 60 tractors during his retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Marilyn Friedrich and Arlene West; siblings, Evelyn, Agatha, Leonard, Joe and Kenny; and son-in-law, Doug Friedrich. Survivors include his wife, Rozella; children, Gary (Deb) Ronnebaum, Axtell, Debbie (Keith) Meyer, Bern, Sherry (Dave) Ronnebaum, Axtell, Rollie (Mary Jane) Ronnebaum, Axtell, Connie (Jerry) Broxterman, Vermillion, and Lynn (Dawn) Ronnebaum, Axtell; brothers, Don Ronnebaum, St. Mary's, and Jerry Ronnebaum, Topeka; son-in-law, Bob West, Axtell; along with 18 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice or to Virgil’s memorial, Axtell Fire and EMS. Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Virgil E. Ronnebaum, please visit our flower store.