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RONDA ELAINE HOMENKO (NICKEL)
Date of Passing: Jan 12, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
RONDA ELAINE HOMENKO
(nee NICKEL)
Ronda was born to John and Helen Nickel of Altona, MB where she was raised on the family farm. After graduating high school she moved to Winnipeg and attended Red River College to become a registered nurse. During these years she met and married her husband Lawrence in 1972. In the years following, Ronda and Lawrence raised their children in St. Andrews, MB as well as started the family precast concrete companies, Homenko Builders and Custom Precast. Ronda also volunteered many hours towards her children's activities including figure skating, synchro skating, Ukrainian dancing, swimming and wrestling.
Ronda's family has 22 years of memories from their time spent at their cabin in Kenora. She was instrumental in demolishing and restoring life in the abandoned and neglected old CP Rail Lodge at Devil's Gap. This cherished location created so many lasting friendships and wonderful memories for those who visited.
In 2009 Lawrence purchased the new family cabin near Lac du Bonnet where Ronda enjoyed reading on the decks, driving the Kubota, spending time on the dock, swimming, boat rides, watching the grandkids antics and supervising many work projects that the boys, Lawrence, Keith and Ryan (Chatel, son-in-law), completed.
Ronda treasured her grandchildren, Layla and Blake. She loved to spoil them with love and her shopping trips and was their biggest fan watching their many activities.
Ronda enjoyed travelling with the family throughout the years seeing many different places including Mexico, Honduras, Hawaii and Disney World with her children and returning with her grandchildren in 2015. In the last three years she loved driving south through the US to Rocky Point, Mexico where she was able to visit with friends and family along the journey.
A private inurnment ceremony is planned.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please take the time to share love and hugs with people special to you.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2021
Condolences & Memories (27 entries)
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Dear Lawrence, Keith and Allison, It's been a few weeks now since learning of Ronda's passing. I have been thinking of her often since learning of this extremely sad news. Of course, all of my memories are from down at the Gap. Whenever Ronda and I found ourselves out at the lake alone we would go on seadoo rides together. I had many enjoyable evenings in the lodge with Lawrence and Ronda and my parents Doug and Wendy playing canasta and watching the interactions between our two sets of parents and how worked up they'd get about the game! Our two families spent a lot of time together taking trips to Scotty's Island, having bonfires and us kids just goofing around and getting into trouble. Our parents are people that we look up to and it is so hard to accept that they too are human and will eventually not be around. Hopefully you can take solace in knowing that your wife and mother had a profound effect on those she met through her life and her memory will live on in all of us. Take care Homenko's, Kristen - Posted by: Kristen Holmes Lavery (Family friend) on: Feb 21, 2021
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My most sincere condolences to Lawrence, Keith and Allison. Thinking of you all and sending love and hugs. - Posted by: Heidi Theriault (Family friend) on: Feb 10, 2021
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Sending prayers and hugs. May the Lord bless and comfort you. - Posted by: Jody and Don stoyanowski (Friend) on: Feb 05, 2021
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We are very sorry to hear of Ronda's passing. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Lawrence, children and grandchildren and others that knew Ronda. She was a lovely person. - Posted by: Larry Paterson (friends) on: Feb 04, 2021
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Ronda was my next-door Neighbor out on our family farms in Weidenfeld. We grew up together attending our 1 room school from grade 1-8 & being in the same grade we always had a friendly competition going on with all our grades! We shared so many fun memories & activities - what fun we had! We kept in touch over the years made easier because our mothers were best friends & whenever I’d fly out to visit my family we tried to make a point of getting together. My condolences to you Lawrence & your family knowing how very much she will be missed. She was special! - Posted by: Shirly (Sawatzky) Hewlett (Childhood friends / neighbours ) on: Jan 26, 2021
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Laurence and family We are saddened to hear of Rondas passing. She had a warm smile for all her Gap neighbours. Our deepest condolences to the whole family. Gordon and Wanda Holmberg - Posted by: Gordon and Wanda Holmberg (Neighbor) on: Jan 25, 2021
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Dear Lawrence and Family, Our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. We are so sorry and deeply saddened to hear of Ronda's passing. Our hearts go out to the family. May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time and in the days ahead. Ronda was a thoughtful, kind and caring woman and a wonderful friend to us. She will be deeply missed. We have many fond memories of our various get-togethers with Ronda and Lawrence over the years. From ushering in many "New Years", fun times at their cabin at Devil's Gap, our meet-ups when we vacationed in Hawaii to those lively, entertaining games of Canasta and special memorable occasions. With Our Sincere Condolences, Dave and Shirley Hirst & Family - Posted by: Dave and Shirley Hirst (Long time friends to Ronda and Lawrence) on: Jan 24, 2021
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I first met Ronda when she was 11 and I had married into the family. The marriage did not last but our relationship did. Ronda was a kind and considerate person, always including me in the family gatherings she hosted, and she hosted many. I will miss her presence at family gatherings, seeing her at their cottage, sharing Thai food with her. I grieve for her absence in our lives, and for the loss Lawrence, Keith and Allison are feeling. - Posted by: Janis Nickel (Sister in law) on: Jan 23, 2021
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As cousins close in age, Ronda and I spent a lot of time together during our growing up years. We especially shared common interests in high school. We had a lot of laughs together. However, the first time I saw her with a grandchild in her arms, there was a special glow of joy on her face and in her loving interactions with the child. This was touching and memorable. My husband David and I send our heartfelt condolences. - Posted by: Janet (Nickel) Penner (Cousin) on: Jan 22, 2021
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Met her a few times and was very impressed by her. My sympathy to the family. - Posted by: Vera cooley (Acquaintance) on: Jan 22, 2021
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Dear Lawrence and family, Please accept my sincere and heart felt condolences at the loss of your dear wife and Mom. Ronda was a wonderful woman and a very dear friend of mine whom I loved to spend time with whether it was on a boat ride, a Seadoo excursion through Eagles Nest Pass or just being together and having a good talk. Doug and I always looked forward to visits to your beautiful cottage at Cape Coppermine where we would enjoy your company on pontoon rides, dock time and some arousing canasta games!! It goes without saying that I will miss Ronda and the wonderful times we had together. She was and will remain an enriching aspect of my life. Wendy - Posted by: Wendy Holmes (Friend) on: Jan 22, 2021
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I was saddened to hear about the passing of Ronda. We became close friends while in the RN program together @ RRCC. Ronda was a lovely person who always enjoyed a good laugh. My condolences to Lawrence and family. - Posted by: Wilma Griffin (friend) on: Jan 21, 2021
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Our condolences to Lawrence, Keith and Alison (Ryan). You guy have lost one of a kind indeed. Once we got to know Ronda, we always thought she was the Queen of the ' Hill People'...the 'Matriarch of the Gap' so to speak. We always enjoyed seeing her presiding over issues of the day, weighing in on things, and providing us with a unique perspective... that always seemed to make sense. She was easy to talk to, fun to spend time with and an overall delight to hang around with down by the beach. You always got the straights goods from her. No BS. We would have been proud to call her our mother. And Lawrence, I know she undoubtedly enriched your life. We feel lucky to have know her for the 10 years we were down at the Gap. Our hearts go out to you all. The Wightmans (Kim and Reg) - Posted by: Reg and Kim Wightman (freinds) on: Jan 21, 2021
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I am devastated to hear about Ronda’s passing. She was a beautiful person inside and out and a pleasure to know and to be with. Ronda will be so missed by everyone who knew and loved her. My heartfelt sympathy to Lawrence and family. - Posted by: Maria Anderton (Friend) on: Jan 21, 2021
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Our deepest condolences to Lawrence and your family.on the loss of Ronda Some good memories from devils gap - Posted by: Keven & Val Clark (Friends. Devils Gap ) on: Jan 20, 2021
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My wife and I met Lawrence and Rhonda at the Community Club many years ago. Our condolences to Lawrence and all the Homenko Family on the passing of Rhonda. She will live on in the memory's of all her family and friend's. Ron and Donna Dawson - Posted by: Ron and Donna Dawson (neighbour ) on: Jan 20, 2021
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My brother Dave who passed away this last summer, and I always remembered-and often reflected on our shared time at Devil's Gap, where Ronda and family also had a cottage-in those magic years before everything suddenly changed. Those good times at Lake of the Woods 'in the Gap' with Ronda will always hold the most special place in my heart. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. - Posted by: Henry Broeska (Family friend ) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Ronda was a very lovely lady and a good friend. We will miss her so much. She left us all too soon. We will always treasure our time with her at Devil's Gap, Mesa and Rocky Point. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ronda and all the family. - Posted by: Lorne and Kathy Lautens (Friends) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Terry and I offer our heartfelt condolences to you Lawrence, to Keith, Alison, Ryan, and grandchildren Lyla and Blake.We have so many great memories of our shared experiences at Devil's Gap and Lac du Bonnet. May she rest in peace. - Posted by: Carol & Terry Yakiwchuk (Friends) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Sorry for your loss Lawrence and family. Rhonda always had such a pleasant demeanour anytime she attended my office. My thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Perry Taylor (Professional ) on: Jan 20, 2021
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We are so sorry to hear of Rhonda’s passing. May all family members feel peace and joy when remembering Rhonda and the wonderful memories you have. - Posted by: Vicky Dawson (Friend) on: Jan 20, 2021
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My thoughts are with you Lawrence and family in this time of loss. Great memories of times at Devils Gap. Her memory will live in all your hearts. - Posted by: Jocelyn Tetreault (Friend from Devils Gap ) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Yes,I lost my beloved “Baby” Sister ! No more treasured vacations at her house & cottage. It was always a very enjoyable time. My love goes out to Lawrence, Keith, Allison, Ryan, Layla and Blake. RIP Dear Sister ! - Posted by: Myrna Block (Sister) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Go in peace, Ronda. Our condolences to Lawrence, Keith, Allison and their extended families. Good memories of lake life at The Gap. Sincerely, Arnie, Barb and family. - Posted by: Arnie & Barb Mekelburg (friend) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Ronda and her family lived on a farm just a couple of miles from my family's farm. Our fathers were brothers and closely connected, not only by proximity, but through their vocation and through regular Nickel clan gatherings at Grandpa's house, as well as various celebrations and other social occasions. Ronda and her siblings were very much a part of my growing-up years, built into the culture of family-farm living. Although I didn't see her often, I tried to stay connected with her through her extended family here. I was very sad to hear of her passing so unexpectedly. My husband Joe and I extend our thoughts and condolences to Lawrence and the children and grandchildren, and to all those who were part of her life. - Posted by: Lois (Nickel) Braun (Cousin) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Sincere condolences to all of Ronda's family and to my dear friends Grant and Myrna and their families from all of the Leuzingers. May Ronda now Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Roger Leuzinger (Nickel Family Friend for Decades) on: Jan 20, 2021
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Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your partner in life. May you find your solace in your fine family and your fine lifetime work. - Posted by: Lubomyr Banias (Friend to Lawrence) on: Jan 20, 2021