Lillian Ronk

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Lillian Eileen (Probasco) Ronk was born on August 23, 1922, to William and Mary (Blankenship) Probasco of Dunlap, Iowa. Lillian grew up on a farm south of Dunlap, one of 6 children. She went to country school across the road from the Probasco home and would walk home for lunch each day. She graduated from Woodbine Normal High School in 1939 with a teaching certificate. Lillian taught school until she married Murlyn Ronk on June 3, 1941. They began their married life on a rented farm east of Woodbine. In 1945 they purchased their first farm southeast of Dunlap.  Later, they moved to another of their farms which was three miles closer to Dunlap. In 2004, they purchased a home in Dunlap and retired there.

Lillian was a member of the United Methodist Church in Dunlap. She enjoyed gardening and had large flower gardens open for all to enjoy. Lillian and Murlyn loved dancing every Saturday night at the Gold Slipper and were members of a dance club for many years. Lillian also did woodworking, making wood toys and furniture pieces. She crocheted afghans for her children and grandchildren and also did knitting. Her other interests included, bowling, and dabbling in oil painting. She was an avid penman with many pen pals around the world and also authored and published her life story, The Flower Lady, in 2000, and later authored Murlyn’s life story, The Old Farmer. Most recently, she was working on ‘My Final Years’ which encapsulated the last 20+ years of her life.

Lillian’s family hosted an open house for her on August 20, 2022, to celebrate her 100th birthday. She died at home on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at the age of 100 years and 5 days.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; husband, Murlyn Ronk; son, Melvin Ronk; granddaughters, Tracy Machado-Adeva and Kathryn Ronk; and step granddaughter, Kelly Mascher. She is survived by four of her children, Murlyn F. (Penny) Ronk of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Jerry Ronk of Omaha, Nebraska; Nancy (Dennis) Resset of Omaha, Nebraska; Terry (Sally) Ronk of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Judy Ronk of Dunlap; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; and two step great-great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE DUNLAP UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, DUNLAP FIRE AND RESCUE OR THE DUNLAP SENIOR CENTER.