Ramona Nelson

Ramona Rae Nelson, 95 of Faulkton, SD, and formerly of Watertown and Revillo, SD passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Senior Living Center in Faulkton surrounded by family.

**PLEASE NOTE: NEW DATE OF SERVICE**

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Watertown, SD, with visitation one hour prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

**Service will be livestreamed through the St. Martin's Lutheran Church website.

Interment will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Ramona was born on August 2, 1930, in Watertown, SD to William (Bill) and Mabelle (Schwanke) Ihrke.

She was baptized on April 19, 1931, at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Goodwin, SD and spent her childhood years on the farm near Altamont, SD. Her early education was at the country school Clover Hill School District #72 - Portland Township, which was only a half mile away from the Ihrke farm. On June 3, 1945, Ramona was confirmed at St. Martin's Lutheran Church. She continued her education at Watertown High School while working for her room and board and living with her grandparents, Carl Jr. and Friedareka Ihrke. Ramona graduated from Watertown High School with honors in May of 1947 and began working for Hubbard Implement Company in Watertown.

In the early spring of 1949 Ramona met her future husband Milton (Bill) Nelson while attending a dance at the Prairie Moon Ballroom near Tunerville and they were married on June 4, 1950, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church. After the wedding they moved to Madison, MN where Ramona was employed by the State Bank of Madison and Milton worked for Sigdahl Implement. In 1952, they moved to Milton's childhood home near Revillo and farmed. She took a position with the Revillo Branch Office of Dakota State Bank. In 1973 Ramona became manager of that location and served in that capacity until retirement in 1987.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Revillo, taught Sunday School and was a member and officer in the Ladies Aid group. Ramona was an American Legion Auxiliary member, served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Revillo Cemetery Association, and managed the Revillo Housing Development from 1977 to 1989. In 1990, Ramona and Milton retired to Watertown and joined St. Martin's Lutheran Church where Ramona was a member and officer in the Ladies Mission Group.

Ramona enjoyed yard work and raising flowers during her retirement along with taking a number of bus tours throughout the Midwest with Milton. She also kept a journal for the last 45 years of her life which served as a source of information and enjoyment for her and her family. Ramona felt it was important that events be recorded otherwise they would be forgotten.

The times she cherished most were in the summer when the grandchildren came to stay. There were many happy times of flying kites in the park and visits to the zoo, swimming pool, Mellette House, and Lake Kampeska.

With Ramona being an exceptional cook, a meal was never shorted or forgotten. When family or guests visited, while others settled in to watch TV or play board games, she could still be found in the kitchen preparing food for the next day. The grandchildren will miss her home-made buns, chocolate cake, and "caramel rolls".

Due to health concerns, Ramona resided at the Faulkton Senior Living Center starting in 2019. She enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was grateful to have Beth's immediate family in Faulkton where she could visit them and their homes until she was unable to do so.

Ramona is survived by her son, Scott (Lavone) Nelson of Watertown, SD and Le Mars, IA; her daughters, Beth Deiter of Faulkton, SD, and Monique (Bret) Reed of Elk Point, SD; one son-in-law, Garret Fritzemeier of Sioux Falls, SD; and two sisters-in-law, Paula Ihrke, New Port Richey, FL and JoAnn Ihrke, Highlands Ranch, CO. Also surviving her passing are her grandchildren: Kristin (Dean Marnach) Fritzemeier of Sioux Falls, SD, Erin (Derek) Haak of Brandon Valley, SD, Tacy Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD, Jessica (Robert Cook) Nelson of Reno, NV, Darrin (Carina) Nelson of Huntley, IL, Shauna (Zach) Remily and Chelsea (Adam) Odden of Faulkton, SD, Kelly (Derek Zapalac) Reed of Phoenix, AZ and Cody Reed of Portland, OR; and 10 great-grandchildren: Emersen and Elliree Haak, Ava and Carter Nelson, Landry, Cohen, and Lainey Remily, and Scotti, Brooks, and Cruz Odden; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Milton in 2009, daughter, Sharee Fritzemeier in 2013, son-in-law, Roger Deiter in 2023; three brothers, Gaylord, Harlan, and Larry; sister, Donna (Rueben) Winge, and sisters-in-law, Laura (Alfred) Lausch, Donna Jankord, and Norma (Arden) Upton.

Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com