Ramona Abraham passed away Wednesday, March 8th at the Sandford Hospital in Bismarck, surrounded by her family.
Ramona was born Sept. 12th 1934 on the homestead of her grandparents, Ernest and Rosa (Zwinger) Hornung. She was the daughter of Goldie (Hornung) Tripp and Vivian Tripp who were divorced. In 1938 Ramona’s mother Goldie married Henry (Vaa) Vaugh. In 1946 Ramona’s parents, Goldie and Henry (Hank) bought the Nelson place north of Pettibone, where Ramona lived until she graduated the 8th grade. Then Ramona stayed with her grandmother Rosa Hornung and her Aunt Laura (Hornung) Bodvig in Pettibone to attend high school.
Ramona married James (Jimmy) Abraham in 1952. They lived in Pettibone and operated Abe’s Bar. They lived in an apartment under the bar until they built their home in 1967.
After they sold the bar, Ramona worked as a cook at the Paulson Cafe, then at the Pettibone School. In 1976 she accepted the office manager job at Farmers Union in Pettibone. She worked there until her retirement in 1999.
Jimmy passed away in 1980. Around 1988, Ramona and Patrick (Pat) Rafferty began to share their lives together. They enjoyed dancing and going to the casino. They gave being snowbirds a chance one year when they wintered in Mesa, AZ., but decided that they preferred Pettibone. Ramona loved to go Pat’s farm north of Pettibone for the peace and quiet.
Ramona was a member and served on the boards of the Pettibone Saddle Club, Pettibone Commercial Club, Pettibone Community Club, Pettibone Senior Citizens, Ladies Auxiliary of Eagles, Ladies Auxiliary of V.F.W. and the Pettibone Lions Club. She was also on the Farmers Union bowling team and played pool and darts at the Junction Inn. Her favorite past-time was playing Pinochle. She also enjoyed crocheting and gifting her family with her beautiful creations.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mona Jean (Abraham) Luehr, her husband James Abraham, her parents, Goldie and Hank Vaugh, her brothers- in-law, Larry Guthmiller, Berdell Wayne and Allen Kamoni.
She is survived by her special partner, Pat Rafferty, her son Bruce (Bonnie) Abraham, son-in-law Raymond Luehr, granddaughters, Brena Luehr and Cassidy Radi and her sisters, LouAnn Wayne, Ella Jean Kamoni and Lois Guthmiller, brother-in law Omar (Darlene)
Abraham and many nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.
The Memorial Service will be held at the Our Savors Lutheran Church in Pettibone on Saturday, March 18th at 11:00 am with lunch to follow at the Pettibone Community Building.
In lieu of memorials the family would like to request that you make a donation in Ramona’s memory to Our Savors Lutheran Church in Pettibone.
Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.