Coronavirus claims the lives of Ronnie and Ria Kalell from Standerton

The impact of Covid-19 came down heavily on the lives of the Kalell-family from Standerton.

Uncle Ronnie who would have celebrated his 85th birthday on 14 June, passed away on Tuesday evening, 27 April and his wife, auntie Ria (80) a mere three days later in the early hours of Friday morning.

The family is reeling from the shock and their daughter, Rose and husband, Richard Naudé have also contracted the coronavirus.

“We are taking it step by step, one thing at a time,” their daughter-in-law, Ms Hannelie Kalell said.

Uncle Ronnie passed away in the Trichardt Mediclinic and auntie Ria in Mar-Peh Medicare in Standerton.

“My father was initially admitted for septiceamia,” Mr André Kalell said.

After he just recovered from the infection, he was admitted to Mar-Peh once again when his oxygen levels began falling.

Exposure to the coronavirus could have happened anywhere as it is rife in town at the moment.

“Our son Michael, luckily has not contracted the virus and we are still immune after being infected in January,” André added.

Uncle Ronnie, his brother and cousin Basil Kourie bought Standerton Boeremeule (Highveld Milling) in 1964 after deciding to expand their business to Standerton.

The Kalells are originally from Lebanese stock and the patriarch of the family, at 16, was under the impression he was heading for America, but the ship docked on the sunny shores of South Africa instead.

His entrepreneurial blood was evident when he began trading with an ox wagon.

“It’s a rag to riches story, through hard work,” Hannelie added.

Uncle Ronnie eventually moved from Middelburg to Standerton and he and uncle Basil stayed in the Standerton Hotel for many years.

Cupid however, had his bow ready for the confirmed bachelor, uncle Ronnie who married at the age of 38.

“Uncle Basil’s girlfriend organised a double date,” Hannelie said.

Auntie Ria could compete with the best and comfortably mastered Lebanese cooking and prepared Boerekos as well.

André vividly remembers his mother winning prizes at several shows and the VLU for her knitting, sewing and ‘konfyt’.

Her daughter-in-law commented that she was not a mother-in-law, but a mother-in-love.

“There were always cookies and sweets in the house in case someone comes to visit,” André contributed.

The memories overwhelmed the younger Kalells, but once they began talking the picture of a kind, humorous, soft-hearted individual who lived life to the fullest, married to a loving, nurturing, creative individual emerged.

Auntie Ria made her own liqueur, using available prickly pears or grapes, and who could ever forget uncle Ronnie’s imitation of Luciano Pavarotti, handkerchief ready.

Hannelie said aunt Ria used to colour his hair after he turned grey to have him if not pitch perfect, image perfect for his captivated audience.

Uncle Ronnie was active in the community and jumped at the chance to serve on numerous committees and if the Standerton Marathon Club needed someone at a watering point, he would be up to it.

“Dad, you’re 80, you can’t go at 6am in the morning,” André once tried to stop him.

“The word ‘no’ was simply not in his vocabulary.”

He was the life and soul of a party and his antics were watched by the crowd sitting next to him.

Aunt Ria was the woman behind the man and for all practical purposes, the shoulder to cry on.

When her health deteriorated, he picked up where she left off.

The senior Kalells had no intention of leaving Standerton for greener pastures.

The Kalells will both be cremated and a service will be held at a suitable time.

They leave behind two children, their spouses, one granddaughter, three grandsons and a town in mourning.