Ramona Alvira Sarah Weinkauf, 85, Jasper, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Monday, March 16, at First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Interment was in the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Ramona Weinkauf was born on March 26, 1934, to Royal Marshall and Gettie Pearl (Floyd) Lear near Ihlen. Her family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, when she was young and then later she and her little sister, Shirley, went to live with her Aunt Hazel and Uncle Bill in Pipestone. She attended country school there through the eighth grade. During her teenage years she worked for Kenneth and Ordith Carson as a helper in their home and on their farm. She later worked at several cafés in and around Pipestone.
On Feb. 27, 1954, she married Duane Weinkauf at First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage she worked at several places including Bar X Bar in Flandreau, South Dakota, Fecker’s Poultry, Lange’s Café as a baker, and Ellison Meats, all in Pipestone. During these years the family moved several times, ending up in Elmer Township in 1967 where they lived throughout the rest of their lives together. On Sept. 18, 2009, Duane preceded Ramona in death. She continued to live on the home farm until April of 2015 when she entered the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
Ramona loved the outdoors. She helped her children with many 4-H projects and enjoyed fishing and butchering chickens. She was a great baker and cook. She loved having fun. She liked helping others where she could. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Ramona is survived by her children, Don Weinkauf of Hardwick, Pam (Jim) Schloendorf of Pipestone, Deb (Doug) Sorenson of Madison, South Dakota, Brad (special friend Billie DeSchepper) Weinkauf of Jasper, and Jerry (Shawn) Weinkauf of Woodstock; one daughter-in-law, Kristie Weinkauf of Jasper; 16 grandchildren, April (Heath) Kooiman, Amber (Brian) Hoogestraat, Arrin Weinkauf, Jen (Brandon) Prouty, Nate Schloendorf, Rob Schloendorf, Sarah Weinkauf, Brandee Weinkauf, Kelsey (Josh) Kooiman, Dennis Sorenson, Duane Sorenson, Kileey (Austin) Lueck, Karlie Griebel, Brady Weinkauf, Jordan Weinkauf, and Jaden Weinkauf; seven great-grandchildren; and siblings Stanley (Velma) Lear of Humansville, Missouri, Shirley (Evan) Mangelson of Lehi, Utah, Audrey (David) Paulson of Orem, Utah, Marshall “Dick” (Neu) Lear of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bettie (Roger) Wright of Hermitage, Missouri, and MaryLou (George) Mecham of San Quentin, Utah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; her parents; one son, Dennis; one grandson, Justin Weinkauf; and siblings, Lionel Lear, Royal Lear Jr., and Barbra Bryner.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Pipestone, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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