Ramona Gerrude Cranswick

Ramona G. Cranswick, 93, passed away November 1, 2013 in Chandler, Arizona. Born in Artas, South Dakota on December 30, 1919, Ramona was the youngest of 13 children born to Henry and Elizabeth Heintz. The family lived in several small communities on both sides of the North and South Dakota border before eventually settling in the farming community of Chaseley, North Dakota where Ramona spent the majority of her childhood. In 1946, Ramona traveled to Arizona with her parents to visit her brother, Arthur and her sister, Freda and their spouses, who were all working at the copper mine in Mammoth, Arizona just north of Tucson. She left Arizona briefly for North Dakota but returned in 1947, landing a job working for the Ryan-Evans Drug Store in Globe. While working at Ryan-Evans, Ramona met Harold who was one of the pharmacists at the Ryan-Evans Store in Miami. They married in 1951 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Globe and held their wedding reception at Libby’s El Rey restaurant in Globe. In 1954, they purchased a house in the new housing development between Globe and Miami known as Country Club Manor. Harold and Ramona continued to live in their first and only house for the rest of their lives. Because of the Great Depression, Ramona was unable to pursue her education beyond seventh grade. Once her children were finished with high school, Ramona persevered and earned her GED. A short time later she returned to work at the local Sprouse-Reitz store for a few years before officially retiring. Ramona was a member of Eastern Star for many years. She was also an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Country Club Manor for over 60 years. Ramona is survived by her three sons, Harold, Harry, Harley and Harley’s wife, Gina; her three grandchildren, Amanda, Sabrina, and Stephanie; and her two great grandchildren, Jonas and Zoe. Ramona was preceded in death by her husband, Harold and their daughter, Monica Sue. Visitation Services will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Both services will take place at Lamont Funeral Services at 328 S. Hill Street in Globe, Arizona. The family is requesting that those who wish to honor Ramona’s memory do so by making a donation in her name to Hospice of the Valley.