Romona I. Halpenny

Romona Ida (Gruber) Halpenny,was born May 13, 1930, in Fontanelle, and died Jan. 11, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, at age 92.

Romona was the second of five daughters of Oscar and Julia (Feick) Gruber. She lettered in basketball, played clarinet in the school band and graduated from Fontanelle High School as the valedictorian of the class of 1947. She completed secretarial studies in Omaha and worked for the National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she received the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

Romona was married to William (Bill) Halpenny from 1957 until his death in 2010. Romona was a gardener, cook and baker, book reader and a power walker in the Deer Ridge neighborhood of Omaha for many years. She and Bill enjoyed lifelong friendships and many holidays and trips to the Ozarks with Eleanor and Ernie Archer, Lois (Houchin) and Bill Bruning. She took keen interest in her children’s activities, friends and travels throughout their lives.

Preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters Rowena Johnson and Shirley Mangels; relatives: Russ Johnson, Bill Mooneyham, Bill Overmyer, Bob McVay, Bob and Betty Halpenny, Jack and Betty Halpenny, Dick Halpenny, Christopher Killip, Nancy Winkelmann, Jenny Mangels and Pat McVay and many friends.

She is survived by four children: Mary Halpenny-Killip of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Thomas Halpenny of Omaha, James Halpenny of Denver, Colorado, and Barbara Halpenny of Somerville, Massachusetts; two grandchildren: Joshua Halpenny-Nguyen of New York City, New York and Lucy Halpenny of Somerville; two sisters: Marilyn Overmyer and Marlene McVay; sister-in-law Bonnie Halpenny; brother-in-law Wayne Mangels; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family requests any donations be directed to the Nebraska Humane Society, St. Robert Bellarmine parish (Omaha) or a charity of the donor’s choosing.