A Mass of Christian Burial for Ramona Thompson was held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Inurnment was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Ramona May (Amfahr) Thompson, matriarch of the Thompson clan, peacefully took her final breath at midnight, Thursday, October 10, 2024 with her family and loving care providers at her side.
Ramona May Amfahr was born December 28, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa to Matthew and Pearl R. (Clue) Amfahr.
She grew up in Algona and graduated from St. Cecila Catholic School in 1950. She initially worked at S&L Clothing in Algona before attending nursing school in Carroll Iowa. She graduated from St. Anthony’s School for Nursing in 1953. Always a lifelong learner, following nursing school, Ramona applied for a Certificate in Surgery at John’s Hopkin’s University and was accepted. After completing her program in Baltimore, she returned to Mason City, Iowa for her first job as a surgery nurse. And so began her life dedicated to the service to others.
When she wasn’t busy caring for others, she was enjoying life with friends and family. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Richard C. Thompson. They were married on February 1, 1958, and moved to the farm where she began work as a nurse at Kossuth County hospital. Shortly after the birth of their first son in 1959, she started at PACH in Emmetsburg. Ramona continued to work as a nurse – in surgery, on the floor, and in the ER. She raised five children (four in six years), supported the men on the farm, and was an active member of the Emmetsburg and Cylinder communities.
When the last two boys graduated from high school, she took the job of school nurse at Emmetsburg Community High School before finishing her career at the State Department as a state inspector for care centers.
Ramona loved sewing, reading, cards, and gardening. Growing the garden so large, our dad would plow it for planting. She loved to walk, golf, play tennis, travel and dance. Wherever there were people and laughter, she was there. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the red hat ladies. She brought a big smile, laughter, and joy to so many.
In 2021, she moved to Ames, Iowa at her family’s loving request. Leaving her hometown and farm was one of the hardest things she had to do. She made her final resting home in Bethany Life in Story City where she was loved and cared for deeply by so many. Everywhere she went she was surrounded by family, friends, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Throughout her lifetime she brought her grace, joy, love for life, compassion, and her faith. Ramona was an amazing woman, mother, and grandmother and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her children, Gregg (Penny) Thompson of Ankeny, IA, Gordon Thompson of Grinnell, IA, Stephanie (Vance) Downs of Ames, IA, Paul (Erika) Thompson of Cylinder, IA and Brian (Jill) Thompson of West Des Moines, IA; fourteen grandchildren, Andrew Wilder, Zachary (Emilee) Thompson, Sydney (Damian) O’Hare, Jordan (Jordan) Thompson, Matthew Thompson (fiancé Abby), H Downs, Cooper Downs, Tate Downs, Ema (Matt) Molina, Alli Enriquez (Evans), Esben Enriquez, Sarah Thompson, Jack Thompson, and Joseph Thompson; seven great grandchildren, Brooks, Cameron, Stella, Reggie, Benjamin, Cire, and Lorelei; her in-laws Jerry (Ellen) Thompson of Pequot Lakes, MN and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Pearl, her brother, Harold, and her beloved husband, Richard.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
martinmatticefuneralhome.com
