An expanded obituary project of MennObits.  Includes additional information of obituaries appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers.   Source of individual obituaries given with each record.  Project managed by Thelma Martin.

2004  R

Dec. 25, 1920-June 7, 2004

NAPPANEE -- Mary Elizabeth Ramer, 83, of 25403 C.R. 42, died at 10:10 a.m. Monday (June 7, 2004) at home after a yearlong illness.

She was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Elkhart County, to William Henry and Effie (Weaver) Bechtel. She married Roy W. Ramer on Oct. 17, 1943.

He survives, along with five daughters, Evelyn (Lester) Martin of New Paris, Carolyn (Glenn) Martin of Nappanee, Marlene Martin of Goshen, Ina (Ron) Martin of Elkhart and Alta (Stanley) Martin of Goshen; one son, Marvin (Charlene) Ramer of Nappanee; one sister, Pauline Killian of Elkhart; two brothers, Edgar (Ruth) and James (Suetta) Bechtel, both of Goshen; 51 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one grandson; one son-in-law, Carl Martin; one sister, Catherine Lois Ramer; and two brothers, Clarence and infant David Jancy Bechtel.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the home of her son, Marvin Ramer, 67928 C.R. 11, where a prayer service will be at 9 a.m. Thursday. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Yellow Creek Wisler Mennonite Church, at C.R. 11 and C.R. 38, Goshen. Home Ministry will officiate. Burial will follow in Yellow Creek Frame Cemetery. Rieth-Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 117 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa, is handling arrangements.

Mrs. Ramer was a homemaker and a member of Yellow Creek Wisler Mennonite Church.

The Elkhart Truth, Elkhart, IN
June 8, 2004
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin

HARPER - Rhoda M. Ramer, 86, died Oct. 13, 2004, at Harper Hospital.

She was born Oct. 22, 1917, in York County, Pa., the daughter of Enos and Anna Gehman Martin. A Harper resident, she was a homemaker and school teacher, having taught at the Pleasant Valley and Freeport schools.

She belonged to Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church and WMSC - the church sewing circle - and she taught a Sunday school class for the youth.

On Oct. 15, 1950, she married Elmer Ramer at Lancaster, Pa. He survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Stephen, Washington D.C., and Everett Ramer, Pittsburgh, Pa.; a daughter, Lois Gulin, Wichita; a brother; four sisters; and four grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Harper. Interment will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Harper.

Memorials may be sent to Mennonite Mission Network, in care of Elliott Funeral Home, Harper.

Hutchinson News
Hutchinson, KS
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin

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On the cover of Rhoda's bible is a sticker that reads, "A good laugh is sunshine in a house."

Laughter came naturally to Rhoda Martin who was born on October 22, 1917 in York County, Pennsylvania. She was the fourth child in a family of 16, eight boys and eight girls. Times were hard but their sense of humor brought much sunshine to their home. Rhoda left home at the age of 14 to work as a maid, sending her wages home to support her family. She was active in the church, teaching Sunday School and helping start new churches in inner-city neighborhoods.

Her love for learning and a desire to work with young people led her to Hesston College to prepare herself for teaching. Rhoda was already in her late twenties and became a resident assistant in the girl's dormitory. At Hesston College she began relationships with young people from the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Harper, Kansas. Rhoda was then hired to teach in the two-room Pleasant Valley School, located just east of Harper. She used her enthusiasm and creativity to make school a fun learning experience, and left a lasting impression on her students.

On October 15, 1950 Rhoda married Elmer Ramer. She enjoyed farm life, especially taking care of baby animals. Together Elmer and Rhoda raised three children. During these years she was very active in the church: teaching youth Sunday School, directing Vacation Bible School, sponsoring a club for Junior-High girls known as the Cheeri-O Club, and teaching in Good News Clubs in a poor section of Wichita.

In 1959 the laughter left Rhoda's home as she began a 20-year struggle with depression. The loving care of the Pleasant Valley Mennonite congregation, family, and friends in the community will be long appreciated. During this time Rhoda also survived breast cancer. Thanks to God, in 1979 Rhoda was healed from her depression in a miraculous way. Suddenly the laughter came back and she became much like her old self: active in the church and fun to be with.

In her later years Rhoda enjoyed her four granddaughters immensely! Being a kid at heart, each visit was filled with games, stories, fun, and much laughter.

Rhoda was generous and eager to help others, willing to think the best of them and not wanting to pass judgment. Through all of her life she maintained an abiding faith that God would never leave her or forsake her. Rhoda will always be remembered for her jokes, laughter, and her desire to encourage others. We grieve her departure, but rejoice in the fact that a loving and gracious God has welcomed her to a place of deliverance and rest.

Memorial service was held October 16, 2004.

Transcribed and edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin
From: Funeral Program
Submitted by: Don Stutzman, Halstead, KS