Ramona Traudt Obituary: Sutton High School alumna died at 95

Ramona Traudt Obituary: Ramona Margaret (Pfister) Traudt, aged 95, gracefully passed away and entered the gates of Heaven on March 20, 2024, at Primrose Retirement Community of Grand Island, where she proudly resided for the last two years of her life.

Born on June 29, 1928, to William and Pauline Pfister of Bixby, Nebraska, Ramona was the eighth of their nine children. She received her education attending country school in Filmore County and later graduated from Sutton High School in 1945. After completing two years of teacher training, she dedicated herself to educating others for a year.

In the spring of 1945, Ramona crossed paths with Leonard Traudt of Stockham, Nebraska, whom she married later that same year. Together, they embarked on a life rich in love, faith, and community. They farmed for 12 years, managed a grocery store for two years, and helped establish the Stockham Bible Church. Their journey was blessed with the joys of raising three children: Dan, Nancy, and Tim.

In 1961, the Traudt family purchased the Sno Queen Drive-In and relocated to Henderson, Nebraska, where they lived for 15 years, witnessing each of their children graduate from Henderson High School. Afterward, they settled in Grand Island in 1975, where Ramona devoted herself to caretaking for her mother-in-law before working as a sales associate at Miller & Paine/Dillards Department Store until her retirement in 1995.

Ramona’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She embraced Jesus as her Savior early on and served Him faithfully throughout her days. Known for her warm hospitality, Ramona opened her heart and home to all, sharing not just meals but spiritual nourishment with everyone she encountered. She found joy in singing hymns and scripture, radiating her love of Christ to all who knew her.

A fervent sports enthusiast, Ramona cheered passionately for her beloved Huskers and, more recently, Creighton teams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leonard, son Dan, three sisters, and four brothers.

Ramona leaves behind a legacy of love cherished by her sister Elaine (Ken) Brock of Chico, California; daughter Nancy (Jim) Lichtenberg of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska; son Tim (Terri) Traudt of Edina, Minnesota; daughter-in-law Susan Traudt of Grand Island; seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

Services to honor and celebrate Ramona’s life will be held at Third City Christian Church in Grand Island. Visitation will take place on Monday, April 1, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 11:00 AM. Memorials are preferred to Stockham Community Church or Third City Christian Church.