Ramona Oletzke

Ramona Ione Heim was born September 14, 1917 to her parents, Roscoe Grover Heim and Grace (Lipe) Heim. She was born at home on their farm in Montgomery County near Raymond, IL. Ramona attended country schools. About the time Ramona completed the eighth grade her family moved to Morris, MN. At age sixteen her family moved to Annandale, MN. She graduated from high school in 1935. Ramona continued to work for her father in the pool hall in Annandale. He bought a resort in 1936 that had some land to it. The family raised cows and chickens. They sold milk, eggs and chickens. Ramona worked hard tending the farm as well as the cabins. This left her little time for fishing and Ramona loved to fish. Ramona was a tomboy and she loved to be outdoors. Ramona met Alvin Oletzke at a barn dance. They both loved to dance, laugh and enjoy life. Two years later, on June 3, 1939 Ramona and Alvin were married. They made their home in one of the resort cabins were Ramona continued helping her family. During WWII, while Alvin was serving in Germany, Ramona moved to the Twin Cities where she worked in a foundry doing the same work the men did. In 1948 the couple was blessed with one son, Robert Alan. In the 1950?s the couple made their home in New Brighton, MN. Ramona worked at the munitions plant and later worked for a hospital. When they were able to they bought a home on Coon Lake where they enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing. In 1969, following Alvin?s retirement, the couple moved to Miltona, MN where fishing was high on their agenda. In 1975 they began going south for the winters. In 1977, while in Yuma, AZ they experienced a transition in their faith. They were born again and their life had new meaning. They became part of a new church just forming in Alexandria, MN. AT New Testament Church they found themselves everyone?s parents and grandparents. They became very active participants in their church community. On April 4, 2009 Ramona went to the Lord at the age of ninety-one years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; sister Naomi Weiss; and two bothers, Lester Ned and Chester Fred Heim. Ramona is survived by her son, Robert Oletzke and wife, Helen, of Alexandria; her grandchildren, Roger, Jeffrey, Penny, John, Joy, Paul, Joseph, Andrew and Randy; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Thursday, April 9, 2009 at New Testament Church. Reverend Peter Reishus officiated. Interment followed in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Casket bearers included Quinto Lotti, John Marshall, Eliza Anderson, James Wright, Gregory Wright and Harold Weiss.