Chamberlain, Ramona Harris

Ramona Harris Chamberlain, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, surrounded by her loving family and friends, at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Inurnment: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Postville Cemetery in Postville. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.

She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her three daughters, Deborah (Madan) Chitkara of Gaithersburg, Md., Cynthia Armstrong of Mount Vernon and Anne Kelsey of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, Nichole (Zach) Martin, Trey (Andrea) Frazier, Amanda (Chris) Kelsey-Ganstine, Troy, Sean, Jonathan, Rachel (Austin), Malina, Elise and D.J.; and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harlan; and a daughter, Karen Marie.

Ramona was born Dec. 12, 1948, in Postville, the daughter of Robert and Amy Harris. On Aug. 14, 1948, she married Harlan Chamberlain. She lived in many wonderful places as a child, including Costa Rica, Kentucky, Iowa and Massachusetts as her father was an officer in the United States Navy. Ramona graduated from Atherton High School for girls in Louisville, Ky. She attended nursing school at the University of Iowa, where she met Harlan and became a devoted wife and mother.

Ramona worked at Armstrong's Department Store in the toy and bridal departments and Stable On The Alley, working with estate and antiques sales.

Ramona was actively involved with the Girl Scouts of America for many years and was a member of the UFDC Hawkeye Doll Club and the Blooming Red Buds Red Hat Club.

She loved spending time with family and friends, dolls, gardening, sewing, and antiquing. Ramona was a generous, loving Christian woman who had a sweet smile, great sense of humor, and a big heart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

“A special thank you to the many caring nurses and the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha who treated her with such kindness and dignity in her final days.”

A memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to Ramona's family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Oct. 19, 2013 in The Gazette