Ramona Darlene Parpart was born October 5, 1930, in Plentywood, Montana, to Vernon Melvin and Millie Adelle [Francis] Stevens. She and Ralph Eugene Parpart were united in marriage in Scobey, Montana on December 31, 1947. They settled in Antelope, Montana until November of 1954 when they moved to Medicine Lake, Montana. They lived in several different places in Medicine Lake and Ralph held several different occupations there as he kept improving their lives. They began building their 'earth-sheltered house' in 1980 near Antelope and moved into this home in 1983. After Ralph's death in 1996, Ramona bravely kept up the ranch mostly by herself until 2002, when she decided to become a North Dakotan and moved to Williston. In 2012, she moved in with her son, Randy, in his home in Williston. In late July of 2018 she felt unable to take care of herself any longer while Randy and Peggy were working and chose to be cared for in the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, MT.

Ramona worked in various jobs in the community. She was a waitress at Ray’s Cafe in Medicine Lake, baked pies, cakes and cookies for the bowling alley, was a Teachers Aid and playground supervisor at Medicine Lake Grade School, worked at the Reserve Post office and was an ombudsman for several NE Montana nursing homes and senior centers. Ramona enjoyed her retirement years traveling (Alaska and Australia among these) and spent time with her Red Hat choral group singing. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo at the Senior Center in Williston. She enjoyed Friday nights at the Moose having a hamburger and enjoying good dancing music. She thoroughly loved making and donating baby caps, dozens per month for years, for newborns at Williston's local CHI hospital. Lots of love went into each and every stitch!

Ramona and Ralph had four children, Linda [Richard] Drake of Hewitt, Minnesota, Casandra [Cassie] Syme of Gifford, Illinois, Russell [Laurie] of Park City, Montana and Randall [Peggy] of Williston. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Ramona was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon Stevens and Millie Fishell; her husband, Ralph of 48 years; sister, Corrine [Kit] Kleinhans; brother, Jerome [Jerry] Stevens and four grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters, Ardis [Lorring] Stevens, Vickie (Fishell) [Hank] Penner, her four children, the grandchildren, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and untold friends.

Ramona made an impression on everyone she met. She never met a stranger and was always looking for a good conversation, especially it if was about politics. Ramona was quick-witted and spunky and loved to be right. She maintained her intelligence by playing many games of scrabble and Sudoku and never letting anyone else win. She will be remembered by many for her caring and gentle ways and her ability to give of herself to help others. Ramona was a one-of-a-kind; mother, grandmother, nana, sister, aunt and friend. Her impact on others’ lives will be greatly missed.

After services at 10 AM Saturday, June 15th at Gloria Dei in Williston, drinks and bars will be served there for those not wishing to go to the graveside at Antelope, MT. After the ceremony in Antelope, lunch will be served at the Medicine Lake Lutheran Church, Medicine Lake, MT.