March 1, 1939 - June 29, 2022
Ronald Richard “Ronnie” Wenzl was the eighth of eleven children born to Clarence M. and Anna T. (Christen) Wenzl on March 1, 1939 at Steinauer Nebraska, Pawnee County and died on June 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Ronnie graduated from Steinauer High School in 1957 with a class of 3, and started his 40 years of employment with Campbell Soup in Tecumseh. He joined the Navy June 14, 1959, and finished his reserve duty July 6, 1962. Once he was discharged, Ronnie went back to working at Campbell Soup where he held many different positions throughout the company.
On October 17, 1964, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Tecumseh Nebraska, Ronnie married Barbara Jean Warland of Eagle Grove, Iowa. They were married 14 years and to this marriage three children were born, Karen Renee, Patricia Ann, and Kelly Lynn. Ronnie continued to work at Campbell Soup, raise cattle, and garden until his retirement in 1997.
Ronnie was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed gardening, hunting (especially his 13-point buck), fishing, talking care of cattle on the family farm, mushroom hunting, Husker football, planting fruit & nut trees, his purple martins that used to visit him every year, and going down to the Steinauer tavern for an occasional beer or two.
Ronnie is survived by his three daughters Karen (Rich) Chaple of Bellevue, Patty (James) Colombi of Lincoln, and Kelly (Quentin) Stradal of Gretna; siblings Frances Wolken of Humboldt, Louise Kavanaugh of Omaha, Florence Wenzl of Humboldt, John (Kathleen) Wenzl and Robert (Ruth) Wenzl of Lincoln; sister-in-law Marcia Wenzl of Tecumseh; grandchildren Austin Chaple, Forrest Chaple, Brooklynn Chaple, Kaitlyn Garrity, Ayden Colombi, Anthony Colombi, Jordan Stradal, and Reese Stradal; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stillborn son Andrew, brothers Jerome, Eugene and George Wenzl, sisters Alice Merrifield and Dorothy Burroughs and brothers-in-law Ralph Burroughs, Charlie Kavanaugh, and Glen Wolken.
Mass of Christian Burial Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Steinauer, Nebraska with Father Michael Christensen officiating. Rosary was recited at 10:00 a.m. Organist, Fran Herrick, accompanied St. Anthony's Choir as they sang, "Here I Am Lord", "In The Garden", "Hosea" and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers were Austin Chaple, Forrest Chaple, Mike Wolken, Greg Wenzl, Eric Wenzl and Bret Wenzl. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Interment was in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska with full military honors. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.