ERNA RONAS

Erna was born January 13, 1940 in Schweinfurt, Germany to Adelheid and Johann Gebhardt and departed this life November 27, 2021 in Colorado Springs. 

While growing up she met an American soldier, Raymond Ronas, in her mother’s Gasthaus. Despite her mother’s initial misgivings of him, Erna and Ray married in her hometown on July 2, 1957. The following year, they arrived in New Jersey and then began military life together with an assignment at Fort Benning in Georgia. Here, sons Roger and Jeff were born and she obtained her United States citizenship in 1960. To aid in learning the English language, Erna watched “I Love Lucy” on TV! A few years later, the Army took the family back to Heilbronn, Germany where daughter Diane and son Robert were born. In the early 1970s the Army brought them to Colorado Springs and they had one more son David.

Ray passed away in 1992 and Erna continued to live in Colorado Springs until her death. She was also predeceased by her parents, sister Gertrud and husband Sandor, sons Roger and Jeff, and a grandson. Erna is survived by her other children and their spouses, 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (almost 9!). She is also survived by her brother Erich, wife Lilli, and their children and grandchildren in Germany.

Among other things, we will miss giving the “momma lady” a good ribbing, as she always rolled with the punches!! We will also give a good effort to replicate her kaffee kuchen, Christmas cookies, and other favorite recipes and will miss getting that phone call letting us know our birthday kuchen was ready for pick up!Her family deeply appreciates the care and attention provided by the staff at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. No services are planned. The family will gather to inter Erna’s remains next to her husband in Fort Logan National Cemetery.