Ramona Marie Anderson passed away at Saint Croix Health on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93 — just 11 days before her 94th birthday. She was born April 9, 1931, to John and Marie Schwartz. The oldest of seven children, Ramona grew up fishing, picking blueberries, raising chickens, milking cows by hand and helping her dad in the fields. Her extensive knowledge of flowers and edible plants was cultivated while working many hours alongside her mother in the garden. Growing up in a hard-working family, Ramona developed a work ethic and self-reliance that would serve her well throughout her life.
Ramona placed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. John’s Church in Centuria, Wisconsin in 1936. She attended South Milltown School and graduated from Milltown High School in 1949. While still in school she got a job at the Stokely’s plant where she met her husband, Lloyd Hanson. They were married on December 16, 1950.
Ramona joined Lloyd as a member at Trade River Free Church. He introduced her to deer hunting on their wooded property in the barrens, and she hunted every season until bagging her last buck at age 81. She raised huge gardens, canning as many as 1,000 jars of food each year and selling vegetables at her roadside stand. The couple was thrilled when their son Norman was born in 1952. The family enjoyed trips out west and picking apples in Bayfield, Wisconsin every fall.
When Lloyd passed away in 1975 after 25 years of marriage, Norm returned home to help Ramona keep up their place. He started his body shop, and Ramona worked alongside him for several years. She also enjoyed a trip to England and Wales.
Ramona married Sam Burton on September 3, 1981. They enjoyed country life and traveled to Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. Ramona was blessed by the birth of granddaughter Sabrina Marie in 1984. After 22 years of marriage, Sam passed away in 2003.
Ramona married George Anderson on Sept. 23, 2006. They had ten happy years together before George’s passing in 2016. She moved to his home in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, where they were members at Grace Baptist Church, enjoyed outings with Christian Campers, and traveled to Alaska. She was happy to become grandmother to McKenna and Maeryn Anderson.
As Ramona’s health declined, she became housebound. Her family would like to thank all who faithfully visited and cared for Ramona during that time. Special thanks to the Anderson family for their kindness to Ramona after George’s passing, and to the staff at Lawson Manor for their compassionate care during her final months.
Ramona will be remembered as an industrious and resourceful woman with a vast knowledge of nature, deep faith in God, and love for her family. She could take something simple and make it special, whether cooking flavorful meals on the woodstove, sewing a quilt from fabric scraps, or enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
Ramona was preceded in death by husbands, Lloyd Hanson, Sam Burton, and George Anderson; daughter-in-law, Shelby Hanson; and siblings, Gloria Larsen of Centuria, Wisconsin, Marjery Boertjens of Arizona and Galen Schwartz of Milltown, Wisconsin. She is survived by her son, Norman (Jane Quick) Hanson of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; granddaughter, Sabrina (fiancé James Lynch) Hanson of Centuria; siblings Lois Berglund of Spooner, Wisconsin, John (Olga) Schwartz of Milltown, and Geraldine Seaberg of Hopkins, Minnesota; and numerous stepchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at 2Grace Baptist Church in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, with visitation starting at 10 a.m.
