Ronald Adam Vencil

Ronald Adam Vencil was born March 9, 1937 in Gretna Nebraska to Anthony and Francis (Guncheck) Vencil. He passed April 15, 2024 at Nye Legacy in Fremont Nebraska. The 4th of 5 children, he was raised on the family farm and was quite ornery and mischievous. He loved his farm life and was always game for an adventure with his siblings, even going as far as starting his education at J3 country school at the age of 4 as he WOULD NOT not be separated from his older siblings. He went on to complete his education and graduate Valley High School class of 1954. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Nebraska Air National Guard while helping his father on the family farm, and holding various jobs. He wed Marilyn Anderson Feb 19, 1966 in Fremont Nebraska, beginning their 58 year marriage. Adopting her 2 daughters to raise as his own, and soon after completing their family with 2 additional children. With a new family, he felt it time to "get a real job" and became a union carpenter working for Hawkins and Kiewit among other local construction companies. He was involved with local power plant construction and other Omaha landmarks including the Woodman Tower in Omaha. 30 floors without an elevator was quite the exercise plan! He also built his own home in the Waterloo, Two Rivers area where they raised their 4 children instilling in them the importance of family, nature, hard work and faith. Ronnie was an avid outdoors man and could always be found spending as much time as possible outside, preferably at his river front cabin. Here he enjoyed fishing, seining for crawdad feeds, playing cards, drinking "Falstaff" and just plain being a prankster. Spring and summers were spent in his 3 acre garden where he grew many award winning watermelons, cantaloupe, pumpkins and other vegetables to enter into the county and state fairs, as well as to provide fresh produce to anyone who could carry a sack full. Lets not forget the meals of sweet corn only.... yum....Can you say Bellyache? Crocks of cucumbers and homemade wine fermenting in the cellar? Who says he didn't like science projects! He loved fishing whether in a farm pond, the Mexican gulf, or dodging the game warden (with a hoop net) on the Platte river. Summer trips often spent in South Dakota, Minnesota, Canada and Oklahoma with friends and family on the lakes to share later with them at a later date. Hunting was another passion he developed and he was always excited to teach his children, grandchildren and nephews the sport. Deer, pheasants, water fowl, even wild boar if he could eat it, it was fair game. Many a predawn morning in the duck blind.... staying warm with that past summer’s elderberry wine! After retirement Ronnie and Marilyn spent many warm winters in South Padre Island Texas where they developed several lifelong "snowbird" friends, but more importantly could continue to fish year-round. This time with ghost shrimp plucked from the beach rather than sand toads from the river’s sandbars. Ronnie was a devoted Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved going to church and would be found there every weekend and Holy days. Whether it was a Native American tent in Chamberlain South Dakota, a small-town church en route to a vacation destination, or is own church, that was always a priority for him, and he would be there. In his last years he would ask (more like demand) to get out to the car to go to church daily and, if he could not, his eyes lit up when Francesca or Father would come to administer communion and pray with him. He was baptized at St. Patrick’s in Gretna, He raised his family in the Catholic faith at St. John’s in Valley, but later returned to St. Patrick’s in Gretna. This is where his spiritual journey began and where he will leave us to greet Our Father, who he dearly loved, and will wait, joyously, for us to join them. Thank you for sharing this day with us to celebrate his life well lived. Ronald was preceded in death by parents; Anthony and Francis Vencil, brothers; Frank Vencil and Don (Margaret) Vencil, sisters; Paulene (Jack) Merryweather, Carol Mangimeli. He is survived by his wife; Marilyn, children; DeAnn Comte (Phil Barry), Rhonda Meyer (Chris Miner), Randy (Lorri) Vencil, Shelly (Bruce) Anderson, 12 grandchildren,14 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild, sister in law; Carolyn Vencil, and brother in law Jim Mangimeli.

Ronald Adam Vencil

March 9, 1937 - April 15, 2024