Eleanor Gonka

Eleanor Gonka, 77, of Columbus died on Sunday November 18, 2001 at Columbus Community Hospital. Funeral services are 10:00 am Wednesday November 21, 2001 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church with the Rev. Dan Keller officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm at McKown Funeral Home. There will be a Vigil service at 7 pm at the funeral home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning from 9 am until service time at the church. Inurnment will be in Columbus Cemetery.

Eleanor Kelly was born June 3, 1924 in London, England to Albert & Eleanor Janette (Perry) Kelly. She was raised in London. During World War II she met William Gonka where they married on March 23, 1945 in England. In 1946 Eleanor was one of the first War Brides to arrive in Platte Co. Nebraska. Along with her husband they owned and operated the Ron De Voo Lounge in Columbus. They later sold the Lounge and built and managed the Redwood Motel in Osceola. They sold the Motel and bought the Columbus Monument Co. and operated the business until they retired in 1980. She was a homemaker and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by:

Husband: William Gonka of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Kathi Gonka of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Donna (Mike) Kruse of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Jennifer (Randy) Peterson of Paxton, NE
Son: Kenneth Gonka of Wilmington, NC
Sister: Jean (Alan) Sterling of Norfolk, England

Preceded in death by:

Father Albert Kelly
Mother Eleanor Janette Kelly
Infant Daughter Jackie Gonka
Infant Brother
2 Sisters