On August 11, 2010, RONNAU, FRANCIS WILLIAM “FRANK” JR., who was 90 years old and a resident of Louisville, passed away at his residence. His wife, Peggy, his son, Jerry, his parents, Teresa and Francis Ronnau, his sister, Mary Frances, and his brothers, Hennie, Genie, and Louie, all passed away before Frank reached the end of his life.
His children, Mary Ruth Cherry (and her husband Andy), Frank “Bub” Ronnau (and his wife Vikki), Teresa Lively (and her husband Chaz), Maggie Stiff, and Jeannie Guffy (and her husband Tony), as well as his grandchildren, Brian (and his wife Shelley), Cheryl (and her husband Brian), Amber (and her husband Chris), Max, Gannon, Laymon, William, Hannah, Will, Jerry, Mary Eileen, and Ava, as well as his great-grandchildren, Brendan and Penelope, and three more are expected; his sister, Nadine Wano (and her husband Benny), and his brother, Theophil “T” Ronnau (and his wife Dorothy), as well as a large number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to being a member of St. Bernadette’s Church, Frank was a Knight of Columbus. He was in the fourth degree. On the Pottawatomie reservation, which was first opened to settlement, Frank was born on July 10, 1920, and he was raised in the first home ever constructed by a white man, which was his grandfather’s. This residence was located south of the Kansas River and was deeded by the Indians in the year 1868.
Frank was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to partake in a meal of shrimp and beer with Senator Harry S. Truman and Thomas J. Pendergast, who was known as the “Democratic boss of Kansas City.” Frank was residing in a rooming house in St. Mary’s, Kansas. In the years following the repeal of prohibition, Frank was the proprietor of the very first liquor store in St. Mary’s.
From 1942 to 1944, Frank served in the quartermaster corps and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico. While stationed in Europe from 1944 and 1946, he served as a tank machine gunner in the 4th armoured infantry 1st division under the command of General Patton. The Ohrdruf detention camp was freed on April 4, 1945, and Frank was a member of the division of troops who completed the mission. The first Nazi prison camp to be found while it was still in operation was Ohrdruf, which was located in East Germany. It was an honour for Frank to be appointed to serve as a member of the honour guard at the funeral of General Patton. Aside from that, he served in the Korean War.
Immediately following the war, Frank attended Kansas University to earn his degree in accounting. He was a Jayhawk supporter for the rest of his life. Over the course of his career, which began in 1951, Frank devoted himself to Ford Motor Company for a total of 34 years. His retirement celebration was the largest Ford retirement party that Ford had ever held, and it was an homage to the character that he possessed after his retirement. Many people admired his character, which was characterised by fairness and modesty.
The family would like to express their gratitude to his physician Kenneth Hafendorfer for providing genuine care for the individual, rather than only treating the patient, as well as to the wonderful staff at Bob Evans for treating Dad like a king. Frank was recognised for his extraordinary generosity, and he was able to make friends that would last a lifetime wherever he went.
The departure of this kind-hearted individual has left us with the knowledge that he will be embraced by the loving arms of his family and friends who have passed on before him. The family and friends who are left to celebrate his life will never forget his joyful personality and his love for everyone. His life will be remembered for a very long time.
