Ramona A. Rohrer

In the  early morning  hours of November 10, 2020 our  precious mother, Ramona Ann Rohrer, completed  her earthly  journey of 92 years due to complications  of COVID-19.

Her passing was peaceful and while she slept, she was ushered to the place she longed to be, Heaven. On  September 27, 1928  Jacob and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Stahl of  Milwaukee, Wisconsin welcomed the first of their two daughters, Ramona Ann, to their home. More often than not, to friends and family she would be known as “Mona”.  Faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of the Stahl family and they would attend Calvary Assembly of God and later Bethel Tabernacle Assembly of God. Upon graduation from North Division High School in

1946 Mona attended Great Lakes Bible Institute in Zion, Illinois to prepare for the future ministry to which God had called her.  Having completed her studies at GLBI in 1949, she returned to Milwaukee and found employment at the telephone company.  At the same time, she returned to the church her family and friends attended: Bethel Tabernacle. It  was there God would lead her to her future husband, John Rohrer. 

Early 1952 brought a sad and tragic death to Ramona’s home church. With the passing of his wife, John Rohrer became a widower at age 23 and single parent of an eight-month-old baby girl.  Having found love again, on November 8, 1952, Ramona and John were married and she became an instant mother to Nancy.  Two years later, with a calling to full-time ministry, this family of three left for Springfield, Missouri to attend Central Bible College.  John was the student and Mona worked at Gospel Publishing House for two-and-a-half years until the birth of their son Andy.  Returning to Milwaukee in 1957 to assume the pastoral duties at Bay View Assembly of God Church, they grew to a family of six with the births of Becky and Rachel.  Serving four congregations over a period of 55 years, Mona was John’s soulmate and life-long  partner in ministry; a team working-side-by-side. Shortly before his passing in 2017, they celebrated 66 years of marriage. 

So many will miss the loving smile of this extraordinary woman. Our mother was the ultimate blend of Mary and Martha: prayer-warrior and servant-heart. Her family and friends were prayed for daily by name.  The cry of her heart was that each of her children, grandchildren, and the rest of her family have a personal relationship with Christ.  If you were sick or had other needs, you were on her prayer list. Mona gave of her time to do the work of various ministries. Working in the camp office for kids and teen camps kept her summers busy for more than 20 years.  Serving the Wisconsin Northern Michigan Ministries Network as the Women’s Ministries treasurer for 30 years was another ministry she loved so much. As the leadership team planned the annual conventions and Fall seminars, the ultimate goal was raising enough support for the many missionary projects encountered that year.  Mona became a pro at taking offerings at various WM functions.  If there was a need she was determined to meet it.   The most challenging task was the accounting that had to be done; if she was off 10 cents, she would find it!  The missionaries would receive every dime they were due! It was during this time that Ramona received ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God.  Ministry was her heart. 

Over our mother’s lifetime there were several special things that made her heart soar.  The antics of her children and grandchildren always brought smiles.  She knew some of it was a bit naughty, but that was when the extra prayers were spoken to God on our behalf.  Israel!   Anything about Israel!  Mona and John led more than 22 tours to the Holy Land for pastors and members of many A/G churches in Wisconsin.  Retiring to their home on Birch Lane at Spencer Lake was her joy. And if you knew Ramona at all you know the other was her love of chocolate and desserts.  God must have rewarded her faithfulness because most diabetics could not get away with what Mom did. We always wondered if she believed taking insulin was necessary just  so she could indulge her sweet tooth.  She was ‘one-in-a-million’ and will be terribly missed. 

Surviving Ramona are her children Nancy (Gerry) Mathisen, Andy (Pat) Rohrer, Becky (Charlie) Hannum, and Rachel (Tom) Van Hoff;  grandchildren Brock (Maria) Brandenburg, Jacob (Angie) Rohrer, Peter (Sabrina) Rohrer, Zachary (Nicole) Rohrer, John Girolimon, and Kimberly Girolimon; great-grandchildren Blake and Lily Sue Brandenburg and JJ and Joey Rohrer;  sister Pat (Harold) Redlich;  in-laws June Webber, Dianne (Jack) Marquardt, Dan Rohrer and  John Ernst; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Ramona was reunited with her loving husband John; parents Jacob and Elizabeth Stahl; parents-in-law John and Kathryn Rohrer; sons-in-law Jim Ganoung and Mike Girolimon; infant granddaughter Angella Sue Brandenburg; infant great-granddaughter Mikayla Theresa Brandenburg; and many beloved family and friends already enjoying being in the presence of their redeemer, Jesus Christ. 

A Celebration of Ramona’s Life will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 1420 Berlin Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 1:30 pm with visitation from 12:00 pm until the time of service. 

Our family wants to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation to Laurie Kettlewell and her entire staff at Park Vista “The Legacy” for the excellent care and support shown Mom over the past three plus years. In the final weeks of her life, Theda Care at Home Hospice was there to her final day.  All these health care professionals  were tender and compassionate.  Thank you to Pastor Cliff and Cindy Cameron for their faithfulness in ministry to Mom and the many friends and relatives whose visits meant so much. 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: “ Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

                      Proverbs 31:28-31

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