St. Marys—Rose Marie “Rosie” Martin Ronnebaum, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, peacefully at home after courageously battling cancer for two years.
Rosie was born in Hanover on April 2, 1936, the daughter of Margaret and Sylvester Martin. She graduated from Hanover High School. After graduation, she worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, until she married Donald A. Ronnebaum on October 27, 1956.
After marriage, Rosie enjoyed raising her six children on a farm. Later in life she worked for USD No. 321 as a cook until she retired. Don and Rosie moved to St. Marys, in 1996. Rosie loved her flowers and her hobbies included tending to her flower garden, sewing, quilting, gardening, reading and camping. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.
In her retirement years she liked to travel and camp. Rosie thoroughly valued her time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joe Martin and a sister-in-law Mariane Martin.
Rosie leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Don of the home. Other survivors include her children, Terry (Carol) Ronnebaum, Topeka, Mike (Janet) Ronnebaum, Axtell, David (Beth) Ronnebaum, Rossville, Jeanne (Nick) Disidore, Lenexa, Linda (Dan) Luthi. Wamego, and Diane (Jim) Todd, Lenexa; brothers, Dennis and Lawrence Martin, Hanover and Vern Martin, Aurora, CO; her sister. Ruth Grieves, MN; 15 grandchildren and three-great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Rosie will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 17, 2017 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or Immaculate Conception Food Pantry and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
