Ramona Lee Stein Obituary (1938 - 2021)

Ramona "Mona" Lee Ness Gerard Newstrom Stein Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity. - Mother Teresa On Friday, January 29th, 2021, in Norwalk, Iowa our beloved Mona went to her Heavenly home. We rest secure in the knowledge that she was met by family and loved ones who awaited her arrival on the other side of the mortal veil. Mona's full name reflects that of a life well lived and a woman well loved. Ramona "Mona" Lee Ness Gerard Newstrom Stein. Mona, the first born child of Winston Harwood Ness and Helen Neva Kenny Ness, was born on February, 13, 1938, in Dodson, Montana. Mona's father worked on a mine and farm in the area and managed the local Farmers Union Co-op. Nurtured in a loving home Mona learned to practice hard work and belief in the value of faith, honesty, resilience, perseverance, acceptance, tolerance, intelligence, and love. Gifts that became her trademark throughout her life. Mona was a fun child, and had many friends. At the age of six, she was blessed with a little sister- Cheryl. Cheryl aspired to be like her, and always wanted to be with her. When Mona went out to play invariably she would find her little sister tagging behind. Their friendship extended into adulthood. Mona attended Dodson High School. She had many friends and excelled in school. Not content to be defined by conventions, she played the saxophone in the school band and played on the boys baseball team. An avid reader, school came easy to Mona. She completed four years of high school in three years. Mona attended Northern Montana College in Havre Montana. Mona planned to become a teacher, like her mother before her. There she studied English, French and Gerald "Gerry" Gerard. Mona graduated and on August 21st, 1957, became Mrs. Gerald Gerard. The Gerard family set up home in Chinook, Montana. Mona completed her student teaching while the young family waited for the birth of their first child. Seven months into their marriage, Gerry suffered a massive heart attack. His death was sudden and the first of many losses Mona endured. Three months later Mona gave birth to her first child- Tammy Lynn. Mona and Tammy returned to her parents' home in Dodson, where little Tammy was doted on by her mother, grandparents and family. On April 7th, 1961, Mona married her second husband and longest life companion, George William Newstrom. George adored Mona's little girl and soon thereafter officially adopted Tammy. Mona and George had three additional children, Terry, William (Bill), and Lori. George and Mona moved every two to three years, Montana, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Colorado. These years were years of great joy and growth. Moving so often caused the growing family to learn to rely on one another. They were, and continue to be, "the best of friends". In 1969 the family made Carlisle, Iowa, their home. The Carlisle home became their most permanent family home. Mona lived there for over three decades. Mona created a home where others' wanted to be. It has been said of her- "Mona was home". She came to be "home" for her spouse(s), children, grandchildren and their many friends. Mona opened her home to all. In 1972, for a few years, Mona and George added her widowed mother Helen and younger brother Robert to their household. Rob says of his sister: "Where Mona was, one felt the security, acceptance and unconditional love that defined her. Her home was filled with love." In 1977 Mona returned to work. She worked for the Department of the Treasury with the Internal Revenue Service. Given her innate intelligence she soon rose from a temporary employee to be the manager of her Department. She eventually helped write the training manuals for the Department of the Treasury. Mona enjoyed her work, and she was good at it. She stayed with the Dept of the Treasury for more than 25 years. During this time she made many friends. She cherished these friendships. Mona is a naturally gregarious person, as a result she had many friends. George and Mona hosted cocktails parties, and game nights, joined the bowling league, the VFW, the Masons, Shriners, and Army Reserves. Mona was active in the United Methodist Church of Carlisle, where she worked as the church secretary and found great joy teaching the special-needs Sunday School. Both George and Mona served in and were actively engaged in the world around them. In 1986 George had a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. Mona loved him deeply and mourned his passing. In 1989 Mona married Russell Durwood Stein, a friend she met through the Shriners. At Russell's retirement they moved to Aurora, Colorado. Mona and Russell loved one another and looked forward to growing old together and exploring their world. Together Mona and Russell visited their families, travelled, relaxed at home, ate out and developed friendships in their new community.. Unfortunately, shortly after their arrival in Denver, Russell developed cancer and in 2003 their dream of growing old together was cut short and Russell passed away. At his death, Mona resigned from the IRS and moved back to Des Moines, Iowa, where she could be close to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved deeply. During her waning years her health began to fail. Mona was lovingly cared for by her son Bill Newstrom and her daughter-in-law and friend, Sonja Newstrom. During these years, Mona chose to join the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and was blessed by the service of the friends she made, some of whom assisted with her home care. The last years of Monas' life were spent in the company of her family, her deepest treasure and closest friends. Perhaps the tragedies that Mona endured speak to her humanity. Through the loss, and sorrow Mona never forgot her sense of humor. The core values she learned as a child "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." guided and comforted Mona throughout her life. Ramona "Mona" Lee Ness Gerard Newstrom Stein was preceded in death by her parents, three spouses, a brother, Kenny Roy Ness, and one daughter, Tammy Lee Newstrom. She is survived by three children, Terry Lee Newstrom (spouse, Sharon Dreifus) of Castlerock, Minnesota, William Herbert Newstrom, of Des Moines Iowa, and Lori Ann Mordini (spouse, Randy Mordini) of Clive, Iowa; six grandchildren, Colin Fuecaloro, Ryan Newstrom, Jason Newstrom, Luke Newstrom, Connor Newstrom and David Mordini and five great grandchildren, sister Cheryl Levan (spouse Ray Levan) of Ann Arbor Michigan, and a brother, Robert Ness of Orem Utah (spouse Cindy Ness), and numerous nieces and nephews. Though we rejoice in her reunion with those who have gone before, Mona will be missed by those she left behind. Memorials for Ramona may be directed to Every Step Hospice. Service details will be posted at a later date.