Thursday, July 15, 2021 ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary Catholic Church ~ Ashland, Nebraska
Friday, July 16, 2021 ~ 11:00 a.m.
St. Mary Catholic Church ~ Ashland, Nebraska
Interment with military honors at Ashland Cemetery ~ Ashland, Nebraska
*The funeral will be live streamed on Marcy Mortuary Facebook page.
Ashland Area Foundation Towers of History or Ashland Area Foundation Hightshoe Collection
Gene E. Roncka, 92, of Ashland, NE, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at his home in Ashland, NE. He was born October 7, 1928 in Omaha, NE to James and Marie (Kirchma) Roncka.
Gene and Mary were united in marriage on Captiva Island on May 20, 1994.
Gene served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Artist and Military Policeman. He was honorably discharged in 1948.
Gene attended the University of Nebraska Omaha, the Art Center in California, Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, and the New York Artist League.
Gene has worked for Young & Rubicon in NY and General Motors in Detroit along with teaching and lecturing at various colleges, including UNL. He owned and operated Roncka Brothers Printing, Brilezyay Gallery in Omaha, and the Gene Roncka Willow Point Art Gallery in Ashland.
His art commissions included a mural for Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE, AT&T Wall of Service in Omaha, paintings for First National Bank, Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom, Farm Bureau, Con Agra, and Easter Seals. Some of his accomplishments included winning the Nebraska First of State Habitat Stamp Competition, Artist of the Year for Nebraska Ducks Unlimited, Artist of the Year for Wings Over the Platte, Best of Show for the Oklahoma and Kansas Ducks Unlimited and creating the winning design for the Nebraska Veterans Memorial.
Gene is survived by his wife, Mary Roncka of Ashland, NE; children, Lezlie (Carl, M.D.) Falcone of Lenexa, KS; Yayle (fiance’ Christy) Roncka of Elkhorn, NE; Sabrina (Dean, D.D.S.) DeWispelare of Omaha, NE; step-children, Lori (David) Haller of Omaha, NE; Jeff (Nancy) McGill of Omaha, NE; Liesa (Doug) Anderson of Ashland, NE; Lynette (Jeff) Mandery of Prosper, TX; grand-children, Bailey DeWispelare, Cole DeWispelare, Cazzie DeWispelare, Lawson DeWispelare, Camden Roncka, Sage Roncka, Izzy Roncka; step-grandchildren, Dalton (Andrea) Anderson, Clare (Rob) Gress, Hali (Cody) Cooper, Haden Mandery, Hanna Mandery, T.J. Haller, Mary Haller, Jack McGill, Jennifer Dwyer, M.D. and Amy Falcone-Wharton, M.D.; step-great-granddaughter, Ellie Clare Gress; sisters-in-law, Kathy and Joanne Roncka.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marie Roncka; brothers, Jim and Richard Roncka; sister, Margaret (Frank) Pace.
Keeping you and your families in our prayers. Blessings and love, Chuck and Doris
May God Bless and Keep Always. We shall meet again. Forever in our prayers….Much Love,
Butch and Marilyn
Sincere condolences and prayers. Dear friends for the last 35 years. You will be missed dear Gene.
With heartfelt sympathy to all of Gene’s family and to a life well lived, each of us who knew Gene will miss him. Prayers of comfort & healing to the family.
Dear Mary,
I just learned about Gene’s passing. My mom and I are sending you hugs and prayers. May it bring you comfort to know so many of us appreciated Gene’s talent and will keep his memory alive each time we look at the beautiful works of art that adorn our walls.
Mary and Family,
I was just thinking of you both the other day when I moved a couple of Genes artwork pieces from a bedroom to our living area. Sending you prayers and wishing you can reflect on many happy memories. I cherish our time working together at Streck Labs and also when visiting the art gallery. Much love, Mark and Lynda Grubbs(Carroll)
Our deepest sympathy to Mary and family. The
art on our walls and many ornaments are treasures and the Gallery is an asset to Ashland. So honored to have met Gene.
I extend my sympathy for your loss and wish you strength throughout this time. May your memories bring you peace. My warm regards, Suzy Campbell
Such sad news. I will be on retreat at The Cloisters, and my masses and prayers will be for Gene and family.
Dear Mrs Roncka,
So sorry to learn of Mr. Roncka’s passing. We will be thinking of you and many condolences to you, the family and friends.
My sympathy to you, Mary; I so appreciated his art. It hung @ the Farm House B&B & it hangs in my townhouse now.
Dear Mary,
Sending you and your family sympathy at this sad time. Steve & I so enjoyed working with you both during the “Deck The Walls” years. We proudly hang Gene’s art in our home.
Jane & Steve Jensen
To Sabrina, and Mary and family, my condolences are being sent to you all. I received a print of Gene’s work as a wedding present and treasure it. I am sorry, it is so hard to lose a parent. Love and prayers.
Mary…my sincerest sympathy & lifting you & the family up in prayer. 🙏
Mary…I am so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. I worked for Farm Bureau when we commissioned Gene to paint the “Coming Home” piece in the 90’s. We then gave prints to employees as they retired, a practice that continues today. I enjoyed visiting with you both over the years. Gene had such talent and will be missed.
Our deepest sympathies to Mary and the family. May God console you in your grief. Gene was an extraordinary artist who shared his talent of painting on canvas memories for all of us of God’s beautiful creation and simpler times. We will dearly miss his smile, wit and charm.
To the Roncka family we send condolences during this sad time. It is always difficult to let them go but keep the great memories in your hearts. I have 3 rooms with his artwork in them.
Will keep you in my prayers.
Sharon and Dave Whitney
An artist never dies. His life lives on in his works. We are truly proud to have some of Gene’s paintings to remind us of his gifts and his careful observations of life on canvas.
So sorry to hear about Gene’s passing. Such a nice man with amazing talent.
Thinking of you and your family Mary Ann.
So sorry you had to lose Gene. My thoughts and prayers are with you Mary. Talk soon.
So Sorry to hear this news, Mary and family. He was a special person with a special gift. Cherish your memories. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy.
Sincere condolences Mary on the loss of your dear husband, Gene. May he Rest In Peace .
Thank you for calling to let me know. Lots of Love,
Bev Litten Cheairs
I came across Mr Roncka thru the purchase of a small tray…… the colors were so beautiful and the image of a one room country schoolhouse with happy faces at the windows was such a sweet thing…..it made me feel good and it is used each and every day….I was so saddened to hear of his passing….God bless Mr.
Roncka and his family….🙏🙏
Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of Gene, was not aware of this. He was a good friend and we shared many laughs over the years. I will cherish all the art on my walls forever. God Bless you and your family.
Gene and his art were important parts of what made up the heart of Ashland, his passing a big loss to your entire community. Now, less than a year later, a fire took yet another Ashland “monument”, the Beetison House. I’ve always cherished Gene’s artwork, getting his pieces up on our walls after each move helped our new houses feel like home. The ones I have that he did of the four seasons at the Beetison House now have even more sentiment to them. Keeping you, your family, and your community in my thoughts and prayers.