Ramona Ann Conroy, 86, was born to Tenus and Selma Nerhus on May 23, 1929 on the family farm near Badger, Iowa. She died on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
Ramona grew up near Badger and attended country school. She went on to receive her teaching certificate at Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. She taught for Bode and surrounding country schools before taking an elementary school teaching position in Jefferson in 1953. She taught full-time for 2½ years and continued to substitute teach for the Jefferson District for a number of years. Ramona also worked as a book keeper for Conroy Oil and as a proctor for Iowa Central Community College.
Ramona was united in marriage to Lyle Kenneth Conroy on December 29, 1955. Together they were blessed with six children: Cindy, Dan, Kathy, Joan, Mary and Teresa. Ramona’s main love in life was her family. She enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids any chance she got. Ramona loved flower gardening, bird watching, cooking, sewing and creating hardanger gifts. She also enjoyed helping with Cub Scout and 4-H club activities. Ramona and Kenneth are both members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Valdon Nerhus. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth of Jefferson; son, Dan Conroy of Jefferson; daughters: Cindy Conroy of Earlham, Kathy (Brian) Lage of Manning, Joan (Kurt) Olsen of Pillager, Minn., Mary (Bill) Boyett of Kingman, Ariz. and Teresa (Bob) Bleifus of Wildomar, Calif.; nine grandchildren: David Conroy, Christine Abbrescia, Ashley Lage, Eric Lage, Andrew Olsen, Sarah Olsen, Caleb Boyett, Will Boyett and Noah Bleifus; four great-grandchildren: Xander Conroy, Evelyn Conroy, Laken Conroy, and Lilyanna Abbrescia; sister, Ann Rose (Brant) Peterson of Dakota City; sister-in-law, Kay Nerhus Larson of Fort Dodge; brother-in-law, Keith (Joan) Conroy of Jefferson; six nephews; five nieces and many other family and friends.
Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to the Iowa Commission for the Blind or Jefferson Public Library.
Hastings Funeral Home, www.hastingsfh.com, (515) 386-8181.