Ramona “Moni” Watson, 95

Ramona J. “Moni” Watson, 95, of Brandon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. The family will hold visitation at Brandon Lutheran Church (BLC) on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. Private interment will precede her memorial service, which will be held at Brandon Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. An online guestbook is available at georgeboom.com.

Ramona Jeanette Ode was born on Dec. 31, 1929 in Brandon, S.D., to Wilhelm and Claudina Ode. Ramona lived a life of deep faith, unwavering love and dedicated service to her family and community.

She grew up on the farm near Brandon with her parents and four brothers. She graduated from Brandon High School in 1947 and attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Ramona was Augustana’s Homecoming Queen in 1950. After graduation, she taught business classes at high schools in both Beresford and Larchwood, Iowa. Once her children started school, she was the business manager for the Brandon Valley School District for 27 years.

She was a baptized, confirmed and lifelong member of Brandon Lutheran Church, where she married her sweetheart, Wayne Watson on May 30, 1954. Ramona was a dedicated member of the choir for many years, sharing her beautiful voice and love of music with her church family. She was active in Bible study, WELCA, and quilting, and she volunteered in multiple areas of her church to help more people learn of the love of Jesus. She was also affectionately known as the “Queen of the Lefse-Making Crew”, a tradition she took great pride in leading, helping to pass on her Norwegian heritage and bring together her church community in celebration.  

Ramona will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and devotion to her faith and family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, and her legacy of warmth and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was never shy about making her thoughts known; never mean spirited but out of her deep love of her family, her community and her Lord. She was fondly revered for her talent for cooking, baking, especially her Norwegian treats of Krumkake, Rosettes, and Rømmegrøt — all treats her children and grandchildren loved! She loved quilting and made a special quilt for each of her grandchildren to cherish. She was a talented and welcoming woman, always eager and happy to share her skills with anyone who asked. 

She is survived by her son, Paul Watson, Land O’Lakes, Fla.; and her daughters, Mary Watson (Dan Rath), Canton, and Barb Kjose (Mitch), Sioux Falls. She was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren, Stephanie Scarcella, Wethersfield, Conn., Natalie Friedmann (Michael), Land O’ Lakes, Fla., Collin Kjose (Megan), Sioux Falls, Caleb Kjose, Denver, Colo., Kristin Rath (Kendall Monasmith), Spearfish, Joseph Rath, Oklahoma City, Okla., Isaac Rath, Sioux Falls, Sarah Rath, Brandon, PK Nduru, Sioux Falls, Luisa Billa, Brazil. She was also a wonderful great-grandmother to McKenna and Blakely Friedmann and Hadley and Griffin Kjose. Ramona is also survived by her brother, Ray Ode (Bonnie), Brandon; brother-in-law, Don Watson (Vickie), St. George, Utah; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ramona was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wayne, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage; and a stillborn daughter, Anne; as well as her parents, her brothers and their wives. Bob (Marilyn) and Lee (Ihla) Ode. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Brandon Lutheran Church in her memory or charity of their choice.

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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