Ramona Rose McQueary, age 93, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022, and is now resting in peace with her Lord.
Ramona was born on September 2, 1928, to Andrew and Mary Beck in Deer Lodge, Montana. She spent almost her entire life in Deer Lodge. She enjoyed the town life living in the white two-story house behind Safeway even though Andrew was a prominent rancher in the valley. Ramona graduated from Powell County High School in 1946. After graduation, she headed off to college in Missoula to study business, but only lasted one year. She worked as a waitress for the Keystone Drug and 4-B’s. She then engaged to be married to the love of her life and soul mate, Pete McQueary. They were married on July 6, 1947. After their marriage, they left the Deer Lodge Valley and spent the fall and winter months in the Big Hole Valley living in a one-room cabin with no indoor plumbing. Luckily, that only lasted a short time and they moved back to the Deer Lodge Valley. They spent a few years living in town as Pete worked for Beck Equipment and Ramona stayed home raising their first two boys Dan and Carl. Later they moved to their permanent home just east of town and managed a ranch for her dad Andrew.
Ramona spent most of her early years on the ranch cooking for the hired men, hay crews during the summer, and raising Dan and Carl as well as Dale who came a few years later. Ramona was also the bus driver taking her kids and neighbor kids to and from school. After Pete passed away in 2005, Ramona moved in to town and spent the rest of life on Saint Mary’s Avenue, except for the last year, which was at Big Sky Senior Living in Butte.
Ramona and sister Mabel left the Valley on occasion. Once to the east coast to see her Mother’s name on the wall at Ellis Island and another to Austria to meet and visit their relatives.
While cooking was not one of Ramona’s favorite jobs, she claimed she would eat a horse turd as long as someone else would cook it. What she did enjoy was watching her children and grandchildren at sporting events with football being her favorite. Ramona liked to purchase contestants in Calcutta’s competing in Deer Lodge at rodeos, horse races, and chariot races. Ramona enjoyed watching westerns, dramas, comedies and sports on TV. Bubby Watson was her favorite golfer. Although Ramona enjoyed many aspects of her life her favorites where dancing with Pete, playing Bridge with the women from town during the afternoons and evenings, and her involvements with her church at St. John’s Lutheran.
Ramona saw many changes in her 93 years and her caring personality will be missed by her family and friends.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mary, as well as her husband, Pete, brother’s, Joe, Sam, and Bud, sister, Mabel and daughter in-law, Michelle.
Survivors include sons, Dan McQueary, Carl (Lynn) McQueary, Dale (Chris) McQueary, grandchildren, Troy (Rikki), Jeff (Rikki), Cim, Cam (Sarah), Crissie (Pete), Cal, Clay (Saidee), Quinn, and Quade, great-grandchildren, Olivia (Jordan), Keaton, Dace, Kaylee, Jimmy (Cassidy), Tommy, Kelsey, Quade, Kenzie, Chase, Caden, Quincy, Owen, great-great-grandchildren, Eastyn, Myla.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave in Deer Lodge. Visitation with viewing will begin at 1:30 before the funeral at the church. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. A reception will be held following the graveside at the Elks Lodge, 230 Main St. in Deer Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Ramona are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ramona.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ramona and her family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:30 p.m.
Monday August 1, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
410 Missouri Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Funeral Service
2:30 p.m.
Monday August 1, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
410 Missouri Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Graveside Service
Following Service
Monday August 1, 2022
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Reception
Following Graveside
Monday August 1, 2022
Elks Lodge
230 Main St.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:30 p.m.
Monday August 1, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
410 Missouri Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Funeral Service
2:30 p.m.
Monday August 1, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
410 Missouri Ave.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Graveside Service
Following Service
Monday August 1, 2022
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Reception
Following Graveside
Monday August 1, 2022
Elks Lodge
230 Main St.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
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Larry Hart says
My sympathy and prayers for the McQueary Family Larry Hart
Jack and Karen Leibee says
What a wonderful time we had being neighbors to Pete and Ramona for 18 years. So glad for those memories. Ramona was a fun person. She loved Pete and her family. We always thought she and Pete were a great inspiration as a married couple. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God comfort you in your loss. Ramona is gone but will never be forgotten.
Jack and Karen Leibee
Pam Sholey says
My prayers and sympathy are with all of you.
Jan Bowers says
My sympathies to the McQueary family. Ramona was so kind and gracious. I remember her as a faithful member of St. John Lutheran and a friend to my mom, Marvel Olsen.