Ramona Rita Placke

Ramona R. Placke, 87, of St. Libory, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, surrounded by her family at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy in Omaha.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney Bruggeman will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Libory Catholic Cemetery, Friends of Paplin, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Ramona was born on Feb. 16, 1936, in Loup City, the daughter of Joseph E. and Catherine C. (Mroczek) Kuszak. She grew up on the family farm near Ashton. She attended country school one mile from her home in Sherman County.

She was united in marriage to Norbert A. “Bert” Placke on Jan. 5, 1957, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Paplin. The couple lived, raised their family and farmed northeast of St. Libory their entire married life. Ramona worked side by side with Bert on the farm and also worked at Mar-Bol Distribution and The Uniform Shop, both in Grand Island. Bert died on Aug. 7, 2021.  Ramona continued to live on the farm the rest of her life.

She was a longtime member of St. Libory’s Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women and Christian Mothers. For many years she was a Howard County poll worker during elections at the St. Libory Fire Hall.

Ramona enjoyed mowing her lawn and yard, raising chickens and cattle. She loved anything to do with the outdoors and farming.

She is survived by 11 children and spouses, Sheri and Tom Smith of Central City, Laurie and Bruce Schepler of Wilcox, Lonnie Placke of St. Paul, David Placke of Alba, TX, Kathy and David Allgood of Lillington, NC, Jim and Sandra Placke of Austin, TX, Dennis and Donna Placke of St. Libory, Lisa and Ryan Jerabek of Farwell, Russ and Diane Placke of Omaha, Mike and Penny Placke of Malcolm, and Keith and Kimberly Placke of Lee’s Summit, MO; 25 grandchildren, Brandi Smith, Kevin Smith, Jessica & Curtis Heinsen, Matthew Schepler, Dillon Placke, Wyatt Placke, Whitney Placke, Addison & Mendy Allgood, Jennings & Kenzie Allgood, Justin Allgood, Elliot & Dalton Placke, Evan Placke, Joe Placke & Kloee Sander, Brendan Placke, John Placke, Andrew Jerabek, Austin & Tia Jerabek, Tahya Jerabek & Austin Helzer, Mark Bakhit, Josh Bakhit, Colton Placke, Ashton Placke, Reece Placke, Tagen Placke, and Bennet Placke; 4 great grandchildren, Lucas Heinsen, William Allgood, Hank Jerabek and Holt Jerabek; brothers & sisters-in-law, Justin & JoAnn Kuszak of Ashton, Lennie & Marie Kuszak of Ord, and Betty Keep of St. Paul.

In addition to her husband, Bert, she was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Aaron Allgood; brother, Dennis Kuszak; sister-in-law, Kathryn Kuszak; and sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Ralph Dzingle.