Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Fauss

1934 - 2026

Ronald "Ronnie" Lee Fauss

October 12, 1934 - January 10, 2026

Ronald "Ronnie" Lee Fauss of Hooper, NE died Saturday, January 10, at age 91, surrounded by family at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont, NE following complications from pneumonia.

Ronnie was born October 12, 1934, to Earl and Irene (Popken) Fauss at his grandparents' home north of Hooper where his mother had grown up. He was the oldest of three children. Ronnie's dad worked highway construction throughout the Midwest and even into Texas when he was a young boy. By the time Ronnie was in 3rd grade he had been enrolled in 10 different schools. Earl, Ronnie's father, opened Fauss Construction in Hooper in 1945, built his first house, and the family put down roots in Hooper. Ronnie graduated from Hooper High School in 1952 where he loved playing football coached by his pastor, Paul deFreese. After high school he continued his education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln studying engineering for 2 years.

Ronnie met the love of his life, Connie Uhler, when he was 11 and she was 9 while their parents were enjoying playing cards in Winslow. They had to wait a while for their first date. The first date was on March 21, 1951, when Ronnie, a junior, gave Connie, a freshman, a ride home from the district music contest where both sang solos. The couple married on March 27, 1955, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hooper. They honeymooned in Florida. They were wonderful parents to their son Rick, daughter Cindy, and son Rayme. Ronnie and Connie loved life together. They loved holding hands and were excellent ball room dancers and were referred to as "Bobby and Sissy" by the family. One of their favorite things to do together was going out to eat. They enjoyed eating downtown in Hooper as a couple, meeting friends for supper or a cocktail, or gathering the whole family around the dinner table. In their later years, Ronnie and Connie spent the winter months at Venture Out in Mesa, AZ. Ronnie loved it. He had a passion for the sunshine and he continued to pass the love of the sun on to his family.

Ronnie's love for construction began when he was old enough to hold a hammer. He worked alongside his dad at Fauss Construction. Through the years he worked with his dad, brother, and sons. The family business continues through his son Rayme. Ronnie's first commercial job was Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper in 1966, where Ronnie was a long-time member and confirmation teacher well into his 70's. He was creative and artistic, designing many beautiful homes. He had a gift for making attractive outside lines of a home to work with the floorplan. Under Ronnie's leadership, Fauss Construction built churches, schools, nursing homes, and other commercial projects throughout Northeast Nebraska and western Iowa.

Ronnie loved canoeing, camping, boating, driving his Thunderbird with Connie, skipping rocks on the Old Lake with his grandchildren, and 4-wheeling in Colorado with friends and family. He led many trips down the Niobrara River with his kids, grandkids, friends, and confirmation students. He loved nature, wildlife, waterfalls, and cooking over an open fire. He loved sharing his passions with other people. He was an avid Husker fan and especially enjoyed the Big Red Husker Luncheon listening to coaches and sportswriters talk about everything from a Husker perspective. Annual pumpkin carving and egg coloring at their home were a family favorite and are traditions that carry on today. Ronnie and Connie's great love for their kids and grandkids is seen in being affectionately called "Grandpa and Grandma Ronnie" by their grandkids and many of their grandkid's friends to this day.

Ronnie was a member of Associated General Contractors, Fremont Builders and Contractors, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hooper Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Shriners, Hooper Firemen, Hooper Commercial Club, and Hooper Planning Committee.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Irene Fauss; Connie's parents, Clarence and Marie Uhler; brother, David Fauss; and sister, Norma Lee Fauss. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Connie Fauss; three children, Rick (Eileen Boyer) Fauss of Fremont, Cindy (Tom) Weitzenkamp of rural Uehling, and Rayme (Kim) Fauss of Fremont; 6 grandchildren, Jon (Janelle) Weitzenkamp, Jenny (Chris) Estudillo, Amy (Justin) Cook, Lissy (John) Nicola, Ellen Janssen, and Holly (Paul) Rasmussen, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper with the family present from 4pm to 7pm. The funeral will be held 10:00am, Friday also at the church. Burial will follow in the Hooper Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, Hooper Volunteer Fire Department and the Hooper Community Foundation.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com.