Ramona E. Warren
Ramona (Ekman) Warren, age 87, of Kalispell and formerly of Polson and Rollins, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2009 at Quality of Life Assisted Living in Kalispell.
Ramona was born October 12, 1921 in Rollins, MT, a daughter of the late Lynn and Ritchie Ekman, joining an older sister, Moroea. She grew up in Rollins, attending grade school there. The school was a very special place to her with wonderful memories of family and friends. After graduating from the 8th grade, she attended Polson High School where she met the love of her life, Max Warren. When they were married, they lived in Rollins for a short time then moved to Seattle during World War II where they both worked in the shipyards. They later returned to Montana where Max started working at Kerr Dam and they then started their family; a son David, and a daughter, Laurel. The family lived at Kerr Dam for many years.
She was a great mom who was always encouraging the family and attending school functions for her kids and grandkids. Ramona and Max both enjoyed dancing and attended Senior Citizen dances when they could. Ramona also loved the outdoors, sewing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. When Max retired, they moved to their cabin in Rollins and turned the cabin into a home. Her heart was always at the lake.
Ramona is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Max who passed away in 2007, and her sister, Moroea.
She is survived by her daughter, Laurel Gates and her husband, Jerry of Kalispell; her son, David Warren of Kalispell; grandchildren, Tanya Gates of Missoula, Mat (Kelly) Gates of Kalispell, Shawna (Scott) Hemmelman of Kalispell, and Brandy Warren of Washington, a step granddaughter, Wanda Adams of Missoula, and great-grandchildren, Justin, Cole, and Connor.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2009, 11:00 AM at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, MT. with Rev. John Payne officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Polson Senior Citizens Center, 504 3rd Ave., Polson, MT 59860 or to Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Rd., Central Point, OR 97502. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.
I wish I could join you in person to celebrate Aunt Mona’s legacy. Seeing her this past July was truly a blessing. Hugs and kisses to all.
Love,
Sharon
Ramona was a part of our family for at least 40 years. She always had a smile on her face and a joke to tell. I always liked to spend time with Max and her at the Christmas gatherings we had in Polson and Kalispell. I loved to listen to her stories. They always seemed to have a funny ending. She will be missed and I’m glad I got to know her.
Love, Ena and Mark Riseling (Gates)
How the memories flowed when I looked at your picture, Mona; I’ve known you and Max since early childhood & celebrated LIFE with you on camping trips, at the lake, the dances at Rollins school, visiting you at the dam with our family, David & Lolly’s births. We were all ‘family’ and you made us laugh because you always had a joke! We will miss you and thank God for ALL those memories.
Laurel, thanks for being the daughter you are and all the love you’ve given these past years. We know the similarity of grieving & a blessing. We’d be there on Friday if it were possible,
Our love and prayers to you and your family. Marlene & Larry
What a precious woman Mona was!! I first met her when she tended to her delightful mother Ritchie and I was lucky enough to be her doctor’s nurse. She has left this world a happier place for her positive outlook and love of family/friends!! Thank-you for sharing her with all of us!!
God Bless you all……
Amy
So sorry to hear of Ramona’s passing. She was a great gal. We were in Good Sams with her and Max and had many good times on our campout with them.
To the family of Mona,
I don’t know if you remember me but I’m also one of the original “Dam Kids”. My dad was Glen Campbell. I want to tell you that I have fond memories of your mom and dad. Max would always take us to town on Friday nites to watch the ball games and wait for us to bring us back home. As a child I would always get a nose bleed and mom would call Max to come help stop the bleeding. And we would come to your house once a month to pay our “rent” of $5 or $10. Can you believe how lucky we were a kids growing up at the Dam?
We are growing smaller (us dam kids) and would it not be a grand idea if we would have our own “family reunion”? I have visited with Carol Farrell about it and I do think we should get it in the works.
Again, I’m sorry for your loss, Mona was a great lady (and not a grey hair in her head).
I’m sorry I cannot be at her service but I will be with you in spirit.
God Bless………Cheri Cote
To the Warren Family:
We have fond memories of Mona and Max from the years we lived at Kerr Dam. Mona was a generous and loving person and we are sure you will miss her very much. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
The Farrell Family
Laurel and Family
So sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts are with you.
Will passed away last December, so I think the old black powder
shooters that have gone on ahead of us are all having a Rendezvous.
Anyway that is the way I like to think of them.
Lots of love to you all from Amy, Linda and Chris (Erin, Braden)
and Tracy and John (Dylan, Jenna)
Ramona Warren Family
We regret we are unable to attend because of previous family committments.
Our family rembers Ramona as a wonderfull neighbor who was so much fun to visit with in her home over a dish of ice cream.
When we first came to Rollins Ramona and Max introduced to the community and made us feel so welcome.
Ramna was a very gentle and loving person who made us very glad we were neighbors.
Our condolences to everyone whose lives have been touched by Ramona.
Sincerely
Blair and Marie Shaw and family
Mona will always hold a special place in my heart. She was a very gracious and loving person. She always had something good to say and never anything bad about anybody. My family spent many happy and memorable days at our cabin and at Max & Mona’s home water skiing and picnicking on Flathead Lake. My mother Billie Collins remembers when we were building our cabin how Mona & Max let us stay with them.
Dear Laurel and David,
It was with a saddened heart that I read of your mom’s death in the Missoulian, this past week. I met Ramona and Max when they were living at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell. They were such a darling couple and I loved them both!
The three of us spent much time visiting about the Rollins area where my Uncle and Aunt, Ray and Dorothy Price as well as friends, the Herb Carson family were neighbors of your folks. My dad, it seems also worked at Kerr Dam with Max, so we always had much to talk about. They were a very special couple and I loved them both, dearly.
With Kindest thoughts and fondest memories, Marian Wise, RN
Laurel, Gerry & Family,
May you find strength in your memories at this difficult time. I hope it helps to know that you are in our thoughts. Maybe your mom was waiting until Little Justin was born so his sweet face could help ease your sorrow. Find strength in knowing life has come a full circle. With love and friendship.
Brad and Teresa Miller & Family
We’ll always remember the wonderful times with Max and Ramona hunting and snow mobiling together. They always treated us like family and we love and appreciate them for it. Our fond memories of both Ramona and Max will live on in our hearts forever. Laurel, you dear sweet sister, what a wonderful caring daughter you were. Please accept our deepest sympathies – God bless you and your family and may He keep you in His tender care during this difficult time. We love you very much and look forward to creating many more fond memories and talk about the good old days.
Rob and Laurie Ellenwood
We are sorry to hear of Monas’ passing. We offer our deepest sympathy to her children, Laurel and David. We know how much she loved her family! We have many happy memories of Mona and Max, too. They always welcomed us to Rollins each summer when we took our kids and grandkids to visit. She really put a smile on everyones’ face!
Laurel, Jerry, Tanya, Mat, Kelly,David and Family
Our sincere sympathy. We know how special Mona was. It is never easy to say goodbye to ones we love so dearly.
My memories of your mom/grandma, are with her constant smile and giving heart. Her twinkle and spark were ever present. She and Max were a wonderful couple, loving to each other and all around. Through this difficult time your life’s memories of the good and happy days will provide much comfort. We would be joining you Friday for the celebration of Mona’s life if we could. You are all in our prayers today and always, with the fond memories of our friendships with your wonderful family. Popsie, you have been a devoted and loving daughter, bless you. Much love to you all. You are in our thoughts. God Bless. Dona and Al
We’ve lost another of our Montana “family”. Such wonderful memories of times spent with the Warrens. Our love to David and Laurel.
Dear Lollie, Jerry and Family,
I just wanted you to know both of your parents were very special. I remember the times we visited down at Rollins. Mona always made me feel like I was special. I felt your place was somehow enchanted. Max and Mona got along so well, a home of love and laughter. Your folks taught me what a marriage should be like. The joy of their relationship permeated the air around them and touched so many lives.
Mom, Betty Stevens, had tried numerous times to contact you to find out where Mona was being cared for. I would have loved to have seen Mona one more time. I know this too, the angels in heaven are rejoicing over the reunion of an angel coming home. Love Ya, Susan