Ramona Weinkauf

RAMONA ALVIRA SARAH WEINKAUF was born on March 26, 1934 to Royal Marshall and Gettie Pearl (Floyd) Lear near Ihlen, Minnesota. As a young child her family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota 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 8th 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 February 27, 1954 she was united in marriage to 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 September 18, 2009, Duane preceded Ramona in death and 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. She died peacefully there on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 14 days.

Ramona was a woman who loved the outdoors. She helped her children in their youth with many 4-H projects and enjoyed fishing and butchering chickens. She was a great baker and cook; her angel food cake and doughnuts were amazing! She loved having fun! In her younger years, she roller-skated and got into plenty of trouble. She liked giving her time to others and helping where she could. In the past she organized a wheelchair pool tournament as a Make A Wish fundraiser. She liked to work and never minded buckling down and getting a task accomplished. She had also been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Ramona is lovingly remembered by her children, Don Weinkauf of Hardwick, Minnesota, Pam (Jim) Schloendorf of Pipestone, Deb (Doug) Sorenson of Madison, South Dakota, Brad (special friend, Billie DeSchepper) Weinkauf of Jasper, Minnesota, and Jerry (Shawn) Weinkauf of Woodstock, Minnesota; one daughter-in-law, Kristie Weinkauf of Jasper, Minnesota; 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, Macy Kooiman, Elliot, Hudson, and Cooper Hoogestraat, Laikyn Erickson, Jolie Prouty, and Everly Lueck; 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.