Obituary of Ramona Mae Larson

Ramona Mae Larson Ramona lived at Legacy Village Memory Care Center in Castle Pines, Colorado at the time of her death on September 13, 2019. Her memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Castle Rock, Colorado on Monday September 30, 2019 with interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock. Ramona was born January 9, 1929 in Central City, Nebraska. Her parents were Frieda (Draubaugh) and William H. McHargue. Ramona was a very bright child and started school a year early. Living on a farm she had her favorite pony named, “Tony” that she rode to school each day. There are many stories about “Tony” and those early days in a single room school house with the teacher who boarded in the family home. She was an excellent student achieving honors through high school and attended Nebraska Central College. She met her future husband, Donald L. Larson in high school. Don returned home after serving in the Navy and they began a relationship that lasted for the rest of their natural lives. Ramona and Don married April 4, 1948 in Central City, Nebraska. They moved to Castle Rock in 1949 and built a home at 521 Gilbert Street. Opportunity called and the new young family moved to Fullerton, Nebraska in 1958 owning a Chevrolet Dealership. In 1970 they returned to Castle Rock and remained in the immediate area until their deaths. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary before Don passed away in 2016. Ramona was a lifelong member of the Order of Eastern Star and served that organization as a Worthy Matron. Ramona was a highly organized Secretary and Bookkeeper for many years. In Fullerton, Nebraska she worked for the local hospital as well as the Chevrolet Dealership. In Castle Rock Ramona became the Executive Secretary for the Douglas County Commissioners. When a dynamic new Pastor moved to Castle Rock, Ramona was asked to assist him by becoming his Secretary at the first United Methodist Church. Ramona and Don were instrumental in helping build the beautiful new Church on South Street. She was proud of that accomplishment. Ramona was a lifelong learner. Whatever she challenged herself with, she performed very well including gardening, needlework and tole painting, gourmet cooking, entertaining and Genealogy. She loved to host Christmas parties for her family. The house was always beautifully decorated, the food was abundant and delicious. She always made the gathering extra fun with imaginative games and presents. Ramona is survived by her three children Charlotte (Keith) Copley of Larkspur, David (Linda) Larson of Larkspur, Luana (Joseph) Pacheco of Ft. Mojave, Arizona. She is loved by 7 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren. Her beloved sister Nancy Kauffman is living in Grand Island, Nebraska. Ramona was preceded in death by her husband Donald, Brother Dale McHargue, Brother Bill McHargue, Brothers-in-Law Clayton Kauffman and Jerry Larson, Sister-in-Law Janet Larson and her Parents. Ramona’s notebook was found a question that asked, “What do you want people to say about you after you are gone”? Her reply to this question is: “She loved people, loved to help others and was always honest, loyal and dependable. And hopefully, she brightened our lives”. Those who knew her would agree. She will be missed.