Martha Sharer Roniger, 95, slipped peacefully from this life, on December 1, 2014, at the Presbyterian Manor of Emporia, KS.
She was born on November 19, 1919, in Holcomb, KS, to John Chalmers and Eva Belle (Baker) Sharer. She grew up in Holcomb and Garden City, graduating from Garden City High School in 1937. She attended Stephen’s College for Women for a year, and then graduated from the University of Kansas in 1941, with a degree in Zoology. While at KU, she played bassoon in both the orchestra and marching band. Also, while at KU, her biology lab desk mate was Pascal (Pac) Allen Roniger, whom she married in 1941. At the onset of WWII, Pac entered the Navy and Mart lived in Garden City. Following the war, they moved to Albuquerque, NM and then to Manhattan, KS. In 1950, they moved to Diamond Creek, where she remained for 62 years, until moving to the Presbyterian Manor in Emporia, in 2012.
Mart, as she was known by family and friends alike, was a kind and gentle lady, with a quick smile and glint in her eye. She will be greatly missed, and leaves a life time of memories to all who were blessed by her presence. She enjoyed life. She excelled in all she did; student, musician, painter, homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor and friend to all. She was known far and wide for setting a bountiful table and her incredible baking. Her home was always open with abundant hospitality. She was a walking and talking advertisement for the state of Kansas….most of all the Flint Hills….which was second only to her beloved KU Jayhawks. Mart loved playing games, and excelled at most. A lady of many talents, she produced numerous objects of beauty that adorn homes throughout this country. The most lasting are the hand painted rocks from her pasture of KU and other Big 12 logos.
She was a lifetime member of BZ chapter of PEO, a devoted member of the Wilsey Christian Church, Republican Party, 4-H, Hymer Extension Unit and many other Diamond Creek activities.
Survivors include her daughter Ann and husband Bill Hussong, of Oklahoma City and her son John and wife Mary Bina Roniger (Diamond Creek; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Gone but not forgotten – she has moved on to a higher plain, joining those who have gone before her; beloved parents, husband Pac, sister Jane, and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Wilsey Christian Church. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4th, also at the church. Interment will follow at Diamond Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Wilsey Christian Church, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.