Ramona Keefer

Ramona Francis (Schmiege) Keefer, 87, of Chippewa Falls, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 26, 1938, in Big Lake Township to Emil and Evelyn (Abraham) Schmiege. She graduated from Elk River High School in 1956 and moved to Minneapolis where she met her husband, Chalmer Keefer, while she was working at Bridgeman Ice Cream Parlor. They made their home in Coon Rapids and then moved to Red Wing in 1976. Ramona worked various jobs in manufacturing and retail including Plastics Inc., Riviera Cabinets, Advertising Unlimited Inc. (AUI), and Walmart.

Ramona loved arts & crafts, especially knitting and adorning family and friends with a multitude of knitted blankets & pillows. She also loved jigsaw puzzles and word finders which kept her witty and her mind sharp.

She is survived by her son, David Keefer of Waipahu, Hawaii; daughter, Elizabeth (Randy) Srp of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Tyler, Brandon and Lilah Srp; sister, Jane Taft and brother Larry Schmiege.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Emil F. "Sonny" Schmiege & Anthony "Tony" Schmiege, and sisters Carol Niedenfuer & Judy Korte.

A small memorial service and burial will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.