Ramona Svarverud was born as Ramona Marie Parrish to Harrison Braudell Parrish and Florence Elizabeth Parrish on November 21, 1929 in Luverne, MN. Her Father was a self taught barber and her mother a nurse. She was the second of five children, three brothers and one sister. Her family moved to Iowa as they were migrant workers and worked in the fields with the German Prisoners. Once the scare of the Japanese invasion had ended they moved to Spokane, WA where they managed a hotel. Finally they moved to Eugene and there she finished high school. She went to Business College to become a key punch operator and then worked for Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. She loved her family very much and was raised with good Christian values. Ramona loved animals and nature and had quite the green thumb. She loved all the shades of blue. Her favorite music was Glen Miller and soft romantic instrumental, her favorite Hymns were The Old Rugged Cross, In the Garden, It Is Well With My Soul and How Great Thou Art. She was shy and reserved but had a wonderful sense of humor and had a fabulous smile. Ramona's brothers (Dell and Russ) introduced her to their good friend Lawrence Svarverud and they were married on May 26, 1956. Soon Larry was transferred to Portland, OR and Ramona left her job behind. They quickly began work on having a home built on Oswego Avenue in St. John's. Ramona and Larry had a new baby girl Ellen on July 27, 1960. On December 31, 1962 they had another girl Teresa and on May 24, 1964 they had their son Carl. Ramona's food was famous, everyone loved her homemade bread that was made from scratch. She also sewed most of her children's clothes. For Christmas gifts to family and friends she would give her famous fudge, cookies and Christmas bread. As the years went by she would crochet cotton kitchen washrags to go with her bread and cookies. Many people thought they were too pretty to use so they used them as doilies. Her cookies were so famous she won awards for them. Wherever she was invited she would bring her cookies to share. She also would practically give her shirt off her back to serve people. As soon as someone would walk through the door she would be feeding them a meal. She was the most generous, kind and humble person ever. As a family they loved to go fishing and camping so it wasn't too long and they purchased a truck and camper. Traveling to historical sites was one of their favorite adventures and they spent the rest of their lives together doing just that. They visited every state except Michigan; traveled to Hawaii, across Canada, parts of Mexico, and to the Bahamas. After they had seen just about everything they started working at camp Wi-Ne-Ma. Ramona worked tirelessly managing the kitchens here at The St. Johns Christian Church and Camp Wi-Ne-Ma. Ramona worked in the dining hall helping serve food, wash dishes and clean up tables after meals. Working at Camp Wi-Ne-Ma was a passion of Ramona and Larry's, it was one of the ways they could help bring children closer to God. She worked until she just couldn't work anymore because of her health. Her service to her Family, Friends, church and community will be honored forever. Her 5 grandchildren remember her best from their special overnight visits, taking them to Vacation Bible School and camp Wi-Ne-Ma. They loved her homemade waffles, bread, and cookies, plus all the dolls and clothes she made them. They enjoyed her reading books to them. As far as her children, grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren are concerned Ramona should have been Saint Ramona, because she was a Saint in their eyes. Everyone in the family admired her for her loving kindness. She is loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.