Ramona "Monie" Schramm

Ramona "Monie" Schramm, age 94, of Early, Iowa died Thursday, September 28, 2023 at her home in Early. Funeral Mass will take place Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 5-7:00 p.m. followed by a Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 p.m., all at the CHURCH. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Ramona “Monie” was born March 8th, 1929 in Early, IA to Albert and Kathryn (Lange) Gard. As an infant she was baptized and later confirmed and married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she worshipped faithfully her entire life. Ramona was educated in a country school from 1st thru 3rd grades (there was no kindergarten at that time), before attending 4th thru 7th grades at the Sacred Heart Elementary School. She transitioned to Early High as an 8th grader and graduated from there in 1946. She attended Commercial Extension in Omaha focusing on secretarial skills. After completion of the 1 year program, she returned to Early where in 1948 she married her high school sweetheart, Jerome Schramm. The couple was blessed with five children: Karen, Joyce, Gary, Mary Jo and Jean. Volunteering came second nature. Ramona was a lifetime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Guild and an active member of the adult choir. She shared her beautiful soprano voice with that group for many years. ‘Monie’ also gave years of service to the Catholic Daughters of America along with supporting educators as an aide at the elementary school. She willingly shared her skills and knowledge of sewing, baking/cooking and home furnishing with many 4-Hers over the years. As their children grew and the older ones left the nest, they opened their hearts and home to 3 foreign exchange students attending St Mary’s High School between the years of 1971 to 1976. She also spearheaded getting Bingo up and running for Sacred Heart and organizing Euchre gatherings at the Legion for the community. Gardening, fishing, playing cards (nearly every day), golfing (into her 80’s), bowling, jigsaw puzzles, throwing celebration parties like the annual New Year’s Eve bash and 4th of July celebration as well as spending time with family provided her enjoyment. Their horizons were broadened as they took advantage of travel opportunities. Eating popcorn while watching western movies and playing Yahtzee filled her hours in later years. Those who will dearly miss her include her children: Karen Cusick of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; Joyce Schramm (Steve) Moss of Anchorage, Alaska; Gary (Nancy) Schramm of Early, Iowa; Jean (Larry) Walker of Cherokee, Iowa; and son-in-law: Larry Dellwo of Early, Iowa; 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and extended family and friends. When her heart could beat no longer, her soul took flight to join those who had preceded her in death. These include: her husband, Jerome (2020): daughter, Mary Jo Dellwo (2021): parents, Albert and Kathryn Gard: brother, Kenneth Gard: brother-in-law, Frank (Bill) Nielsen: sister-in-law, Mary Ann Gard: son-in-law, Ray Cusick: parents-in-law, Gustov and Gertrude Schramm: brothers-in-law, Robert and Donald Schramm, Joseph Determan: sisters-in-law, Betty Lou Schramm, Delores Determan and Ruth Schramm: and nieces and nephews, Bob Nielsen, John Determan and Diane Klocke.

Ramona "Monie" Schramm

March 8, 1929 - September 28, 2023