Ramona Krause

**If ordering flowers for Ramona's service, please use the local flower shop for the Java area: The Watering Can 605-285-6900

Ramona Krause, age 90, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Java, SD, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the local hospital.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Java, SD.  Pastor Mary Lou Gruebele and Vicar Brian Nies will officiate.

Visitation will be at the church on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service.

Burial will be at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Max Buechler, Scott Byer, Chris Sazama, Justin Schmidtgall, Frank Kern and Preston Thavixay.

Ramona was born on April 20, 1932, in Bowdle, SD, to August and Rosa (Schumacher) Buechler.  She was raised on her parent’s farm and attended Odessa Rural School.  Following her schooling, she worked as a hired girl for families around Bowdle.

On August 3, 1958, Ramona married Harlan “Blackie” Krause.  The couple moved to a farm north of Java where they milked cows.  She stayed busy on the farm and raised her family. Harlan passed away on June 2, 2000.  Ramona then moved into Java.  In September of 2022, Ramona moved to Watertown.

She loved getting out into the community and attending different events.  She was a regular at the Java Bar where you could always find her indulging in a Pepsi.  She enjoyed going on Mondays for German Day.  She liked playing cards, dice and Cronkinole with the ladies.  She adored time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.  She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, the Java Community Club, WELCA, the Garden Club, the Alter Guild, Red Hatters, and the Java Centennial Commitee.

Ramona is survived by her children: Marsha (Dana) Enderson, Marlys (Joe) Tesch, Sheila Krause and Jim (Lori) Krause; her grandchildren, Andi (Justin) Schmidtgall, Beth Sasse (Frank Kern) and Shelby Krause (Preston Thavixay); her great-granddaughters, Lily Lindsey and Shay Schmidtgall; her sister, Renata Voller; her brothers, Harlan (Stella) Buechler and Ken (Sandy) Buechler; and several nieces and nephews.

Ramona was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Krause; her grandson, Zacary Sasse; her parents, August and Rosa Buechler; her in-laws, Israel and Lydia Krause; and her brothers-in-law, Lloyd Voller and Harry Krause.

The family prefers memorials be made to the Java Community Club at 12356 319th Avenue, Java, SD, 57452 or the St. Paul Lutheran Church at 3107 Chicago Street, Java, SD, 57452.

There will be a Celebration of Ramona’s life to follow this spring.  More details to come.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel   Watertown, Hayti, De Smet and Bryant
www.crawfordosthus.com

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