Ronelda Rae Novotny

Ronelda Rae (Messmer) Novotny was born March 8, 1948, in Odell, NE to George & Versa (Farmer) Messmer. Roni passed away February 11, 2026, at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln Ne, at the age of 77.

She was known by many as “Roni”. Roni grew up on a farm near Hollenberg, KS. While growing up, when she would make a meal or clean up after a meal, she would pretend she was on TV or the radio making a fancy meal! She graduated from Hollenberg High School in 1966, in the last graduating class before the school closed.

When she met Don, she worked at a dry cleaner, where she sewed the inside of Don’s suit jacket and Don never knew until months later when he tried to put the jacket on, and by that time Roni had forgotten about it. Don and Roni married August 22, 1970, at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury. They were living in Louisville, NE while she worked at Boystown. When Troy was born in 1971, they moved to Hollenberg. She worked at Endicott Clay Products, and helped at Friendly Corners Senior Meal Center at Washington, KS. Roni was also a Sunday School teacher for several years. In 1985 they moved to Fairbury when Don got a new job. Roni then started at the Heritage Care Center as a cook and worked there for many years until her retirement. In the late 90’s Roni was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) Cancer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, just shy of 55 years, Sister Judy, brother Gary, sister-in-law Susan Novotny and numerous cousins.

She is survived by her son Troy, favorite son, her dog Ernie, brother & sister-in-law Joe & Vickie (Vic) Novotny, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Services will be Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Fairbury with Pastor Darlene Novotny officiating. Burial will be in the Steele City Cemetery.