Pecks, Ramona 1918-2005

PECKS, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2007 at 20:43:12

Ramona Pecks
LeMars Sentinel
Friday, March 18, 2005

Ramona Pecks, 86, of the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, and formerly of Le Mars, died Thursday, March 17, 2005, at Happy Siesta.

Ramona Margery Pecks was born Nov. 15, 1918, on the family farm in Reading Township, Sioux County, Iowa, the daughter of Fred Jurgen and Martha Adeline (Onken) Schmidt. She attended country school near her home before attending school in Le Mars. Ramona graduated from Le Mars High School in 1936 with a certificate in Normal Training. She taught in rural schools in Plymouth County prior to her marriage.

On June 4, 1941, Ramona and Leslie Henry Pecks were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The couple made their home in Le Mars. Following the birth of their fourth child, Ramona returned to teaching. She later worked at Parkinson's Music in Le Mars from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. More recently, she resided at Park Place Estates in Le Mars and later moved to the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen on July 12, 2002.

Ramona was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. She taught Sunday School and catechism, and was active in Ladies' Aid. Ramona enjoyed playing the organ and piano, gardening, bowling and playing pinochle. She was also an accomplished seamstress and liked to crochet and knit.

Survivors include her daughters, Karol Merkel and her husband, John of Clive, Karen Sawyer and her husband, Russell of Olathe, Kan., Donna Durr and her husband, Carl of Le Mars, and Ellen Russell and her husband, Monte of Le Mars; a son, Mark Pecks of Overland Park, Kan.; 13 grandchildren, Kelly Breffle, Lindsey Krug and her husband, Cory, Kacey Donaldson and her husband, Anders, Hallie Howard and her husband, Kipp, Zach, Erica and Tate Durr, Shannon Borchers and her husband, Bruce, Alex Russell, Matt Schutte, Jerry, Rhiannon and Tony Pecks; eight great-grandchildren, Foster Krug, Espen Donaldson, Avarie and Kysen Howard, Bailey and Jack Borchers, Dominic Martinez and Caitlin Pecks; and a brother, Donald Schmidt of Le Mars.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leslie on Nov. 4, 1981; a sister, Madonna Clement, and a brother, Wallace Schmidt.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Burial was at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation began at 12 noon Sunday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, with the family present from 3 to 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 4 p.m. There was also one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral.

Pallbearers were Zach Durr, Tate Durr, Cory Krug, Kipp Howard, Alex Russell, Bruce Borchers and Anders Donaldson