Ramona Welhouse

Ramona Welhouse - Kaukauna - Age 92, died on Oct. 22, 2021, at her daughter Jane’s home, while listening to her children sing The Blessing of Aaron in harmony. She was born on Oct. 30, 1928, to Lyle and Rose (Heimmerman) McGinnis. In addition to serving as editor of the Kaukauna High School yearbook, she played trombone in the high school party orchestra, and worked at Bastian’s Five & Dime, the Rialto Theater, and The Kaukauna Times. Mona met her future husband, Tony, in the St. Mary Church Choir, and together they ran the family dairy farm, celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1997 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Kaukauna. She was a Buchanan Badgers 4-H Club Leader, a dedicated KHS band parent, and a long-time alto in the St. Aloysius Church Choir. Visitors to her home invariably left with fresh bread loaves, jars of pink applesauce, and flowers from her garden. She read the newspaper every day and faithfully used the public library. She was a lifelong Community Blood Center blood donor. In her last decades, she took piano lessons. In every endeavor, she was her husband’s and children’s most devoted fan. Ramona is survived by her children: Kathleen Welhouse, Mary Lou (Michael) Stebbins, Anthony (Kathleen), John (Suzanne), Robert (Gayle), Jane Welhouse, Rose Welhouse, William (Judy), Jennifer (Ronald) Pack, Andrew (Sharon Lubkeman), Rebecca Welhouse, Matthew (Stephanie), and Dominic (Alexandra Manley). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.  In addition, she is survived by her sisters: Joan Hue, Rosemarie Lake, Donna Farina, Maryann (Phillip) DeBruin; brothers: William (Georgiana) McGinnis, Thomas (Mary) McGinnis; sister-in-law: Mary E. McGinnis.  She was preceded in death by her husband: Anthony; her parents; Tony’s parents: Anton and Anna (Emmers) Welhouse; a sister: Margaret (David) Hartshorne; brothers: Lyle McGinnis, Theodore McGinnis; in-laws: Marie (Ralph) Mader, Martha Welhouse, Ruth (Gordon) Mader, Sylvester (Marcella) (Bernice) Welhouse, Rita (Leo) Buchinger, Donald Hue, and Martin Lake; stepmother: Marie McGinnis, and Tony’s stepmother: Kathryn Welhouse. Mom, we love you and will miss your sharp wit, your open heart, your bread, and your devotion to Dad and all of us. Special thanks to Compassus Hospice and Jane. Please direct any memorials in honor of Ramona to Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity-Menasha, Kaukauna Public Library Foundation, and 1000 Islands Environmental Center, Kaukauna. A private graveside service was held for immediate family.

Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal St., Little Chute, WI 54140, 920-788-3321, www.verkuilenfh.com