Ramona Helgeson

Ramona Helgeson, 77, of Webster, SD, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Webster, South Dakota and will be livestreamed on Fiksdal Funeral Service Facebook page. Pastor Mike DeKraai will officiate. Burial will be at the Webster Cemetery near Webster.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Fiksdal Funeral Service.

Ramona Lea Bleibaum was born on October 7, 1945, to John and Edna (Sukut) Bleibaum at the family home in Groton, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Groton. Ramona attended Groton high school and graduated in 1963. She furthered her education at Stewarts School of Hairstyling in Aberdeen, South Dakota and earned her certificate in 1964.

Ramona was united in marriage to Donald “Red” Lee Helgeson on April 30, 1966, at the First Presbyterian Church in Groton. The couple made their home in Webster in 1968. To this union four children were born: Kelly, Lisa, Carrie, and Melanie. She worked at Lorraine’s House of Beauty, Ramona’s Beauty Salon, and A Cut Above. Ramona worked as a hairstylist for over 50 years. Donald passed away in 2001 and Ramona continued living in Webster. She was very passionate about her career and never truly retired from it.  

Ramona was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster where she served in the Church Circle, was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the church Choir and was also Choir Director. She was also a member of the Red-Hat Society, Legion Auxiliary, Singing Nuns, and Laugh and Learn Club. She sold tupperware and Avon for many years. Ramona enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge and Pinochle, having a Diet Coke, and knitting which earned her the title “Knitting Nana”. She enjoyed time spent with her Coffee Crew every morning. Ramona loved her many groups and activities but above all, she treasured her time with her children and grandchildren.

Ramona passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 77 years, 9 months, and 20 days.

She will be forever loved and missed by her four children, Kelly Helgeson of Webster, SD, Lisa Burns of Sioux Falls, SD, Carrie Helgeson of Webster, SD, and Melanie (Matt) Johnson of Webster; three sisters, Connie (Ed) Stauch of Groton, SD, Carryl (Bob) Goens of Gillette, WY, and LaVonne (Jeff) McKinney of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren: Brady Helgeson, Spencer Burns, Sydni Burns, Kennedy, Jersey, and Portlyn Johnson; two sisters-in-laws, Opal Quale of Webster, SD and Diane (Earl) Frazier of Thief River Falls, MN; and many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Bleibaum; her husband, Donald “Red” Helgeson; half-brother Willis Bleibaum; brothers-in-laws, Keith Quale and Olen Helgeson; sister-in-law June Carlson; nephew, Wayne Carlson; and Goddaughter, Michelle Miller.