Vanderhelm, Ramona 1928-2022

VANDERHELM, POPKEN, MARIENAU

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/17/2022 at 10:06:56

Ramona VanderHelm, 93, of Akron, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Akron Care Center in Akron.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the funeral home.

Ramona "Monie" Viola Popken was born on June 24, 1928 to Jack and Esther (Marienau) Popken. Ramona was born on the family farm east of Akron. She began her education at a country school in rural Akron, where she rode her horse two miles to and from school. Then in 1942 Ramona moved to Akron and lived with various families to attend Akron High School. She graduated in 1946. She was active in girls basketball and was the 1st attendant on the Homecoming court. Following high school she worked for Gassman Motors in Akron as their secretary. She later took her bookkeeping and secretarial skills to Nelson Hatchery where she worked with her husband, Allen. Ramona was united in marriage to Allen “Dutch" VanderHelm on June 12, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa. Following their wedding, they moved to their new family home that Allen helped build in Akron. Ramona resided in that home until she moved to the Akron Care Center in 2018.

Ramona often contributed to her community and causes that were near to her heart. Allen and Ramona were members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Craig, Iowa before they joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron where she volunteered in many capacities. She was also a charter member of the Friendship and Service Club, an active member of the Akron Hospital Auxiliary, Hoschler American Legion Auxiliary and a long-time charter member of a pinochle club. When her children were young, she served as a leader for the Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls.

In Ramona’s free time, she loved to bake and cook. No one ever left Ramona’s home hungry! She was a gifted seamstress, greatly enjoyed bird watching, gardening, canning and loved flowers.

Ramona and Dutch cared dearly for their friends and family. They often enjoyed Saturday night dates with other couples from Akron. Ramona also enjoyed to travel - from family trips to fish in Minnesota, to spending time in Okoboji with her grandkids, to traveling with feed companies for various work trips. Her favorite trip was to Barbados. What was most important to Ramona was her family, she played a crucial part in her grandkid’s lives and her great-grandkids brought her much joy.

Ramona is survived by her daughter, Kerry Jo (David) Heeren of Akron, SD; four grandchildren and their families: Jamie (Krista) VanderHelm and their children: Peyton, Ellie, Alan and Maverick, Nathan VanderHelm, Crystal Moeller and her children: Aubri, Braxton and Everett, and Desiree Heeren; sister in law, Lavina VanderHelm of Sioux Center, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Ramona is preceded in death by parents; husband, Allen "Dutch" VanderHelm; and son, James "Jim" VanderHelm.

Rexwinkel Funeral Home
Akron, Iowa