Ramona (Ekman) Warren, 87

Ramona (Ekman) Warren, 87, of Kalispell, and formerly of Polson and Rollins, passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at Quality of Life Assisted Living in Kalispell.

Ramona was born Oct. 12, 1921, in Rollins, a daughter of the late Lynn and Ritchie Ekman, joining an older sister, Moroea. She grew up in Rollins, attending grade school there. The school was a very special place to her with wonderful memories of family and friends.

After graduating from the eighth grade, she attended Polson High School where she met the love of her life, Max Warren. When they were married, they lived in Rollins for a short time then moved to Seattle during World War II, where they both worked in the shipyards.

They later returned to Montana where Max started working at Kerr Dam and they then started their family; a son, David, and a daughter, Laurel. The family lived at Kerr Dam for many years.

Ramona was a great mom who was always encouraging the family and attending school functions for her kids and grandkids. She and Max both enjoyed dancing and attended senior citizen dances when they could.

Ramona also loved the outdoors, sewing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. When Max retired, they moved to their cabin in Rollins and turned the cabin into a home. Her heart was always at the lake.

Ramona was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Max, who passed away in 2007; and her sister, Moroea.

She is survived by her daughter, Laurel Gates, and her husband, Jerry, of Kalispell; her son, David Warren, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Tanya Gates of Missoula, Mat and Kelly Gates of Kalispell, Shawna and Scott Hemmelman of Kalispell, and Brandy Warren of Washington; a stepgranddaughter, Wanda Adams, of Missoula; and great-grandchildren, Justin, Cole and Connor.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, with the Rev. John Payne officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Polson Senior Citizens Center, 504 Third Ave., Polson, MT 59860; or to Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, is assisting the family.