Marie Ronk

Marie Emily (Kruse) Ronk was born August 10, 1923, in rural Mapleton, Iowa to William and Josephine (Waderich) Kruse. She attended country school and graduated from Soldier High School in 1941. She then attended Buena Vista College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught in a country school for three years. Marie married Elwin Ronk on May 11, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Marie lived with her parents during the time Elwin served his country overseas in the Army Air Corps. After his honorable discharge the couple farmed the Ronk family farm for 48 years. In 1994 they moved into Dunlap.

Marie was baptized at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton, confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dunlap. She was very active in the Ladies Aid and taught Sunday School for 19 years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Historical Society, the Picayune Club, O.D.O. Card Club, and had served on the Dunlap Nursing & Rehab Board. Marie and Elwin loved to travel. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery work, and crossword puzzles. Marie was also a wonderful cook and baker.

Marie died on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 91 years, six months, and 12 days.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elwin Ronk; son, Glen Ronk; two infant brothers; four brothers, August, Raymond, Leonard and Floyd Kruse and sister, Helena Bumsted. She is survived by two daughters, Helen (Leonard) Miller and Lori (Max) Jones all of Dunlap; daughter-in-law, Nancy Ronk of Dunlap, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Murlyn (Lillian) Ronk of Dunlap, Iowa; sister-in-law, Katherine Kruse of Mapleton, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.