Ramona Edna Krulish, 88, formerly of Portland, Oregon, died peacefully during her afternoon nap on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Touchmark at All Saints assisted living facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Ramona’s health declined after a bad fall in May 2017, making her spend the next six months in and out of seven facilities before settling in at Calaroga Terrace assisted living facility in Portland. In October 2018, Ramona moved back to South Dakota so her nieces, Mary Bakker and Jody (Jack) Lundie, could help care for her. It was a good choice as she was able to have a steady flow of visitors weekly.

Ramona Edna Krulish was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Volga, South Dakota, to Joseph Krulish (43) and Mary (Benesh) Krulish (41). Joseph was a farmer, Mary a housewife.

Ramona graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, in 1948. She attended Long Beach City College for one year before attending Dental Nurses Training School in San Francisco, California, graduating November 1949.

Just by happenstance, an opportunity to work in the Department of State Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C became available. Two weeks later, Ramona moved across the United States at the age of 22.

On May 22, 1952, Ramona began her first overseas assignment in Naples, Italy, which ended up being one of her favorite places to live. Ramona traveled the world, living in Kenya, Saigon, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sudan, Siberia, Ethiopia and more, often sending gifts and birthday and Christmas cards to her family members.

On Jan. 31, 1959, Ramona was baptized in Cite Maire Paul in Saigon after converting to Catholicism.

Ramona retired Jan. 17, 1981, after completing 29 years of loyal and meritorious service for the United States government. A few years later, Ramona made Portland her home, purchasing a condominium in the well-known Fontane building in the Lloyd District where she had access to banks, restaurants, shops and theatres. Traveling out of the area was easy to do without owning a vehicle. Friends from the Fontane report that she was a lady on the go. She loved the theater, music, reading and traveling.

Many years ago, during a stay at the Providence Medical Center, Ramona met Father Jon Buffington during a patient visit. Fr. Jon loved traveling and so did Ramona, which created an instant bond. He became her best friend for over a decade. He was very special to her. Ramona was a member of the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Portland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary (Benesh); and brothers, Anton Krulish and Calvin Krulish. Ramona is survived by her nephew, Daniel (Lynda) Krulish, Lonsdale, Minnesota; nieces, Mary Bakker, Sioux Falls, Jody (Jack) Lundie, Lake Madison, South Dakota, Arlene Krulish, Fort Totten North Dakota, Arliss Krulish, Fort Totten, and Shelly Dumarce, Sisseton, South Dakota.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at National Bohemian Cemetery in Myrtle, Minnesota, with Father Thomas Niehaus officiating. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.