Katheryn "Karen" Mahony Ramold

Katheryn "Karen" (Mahony) Ramold, age 74, of O'Neill, passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Fr. James Netusil officiating. Music was provided by St. Patrick's guitar choir.

Pallbearers were Mike Ramold, Nick Ramond, Bryan Ramold, Robert Ramold, Jeff Ramold, Gib Kelly, Jeff Mudloff and Corey Ramold.

Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her poker club.

Burial was in the O'Neill Calvary Cemetery in O'Neill.

Biglin's Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Katheryn Karen Mahony was born in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 20, 1939. She was the fourth of 14 siblings born to Katheryn (Babbit) and Charles Mahony.

After graduating from St. Mary's Academy in 1956, she taught country school near Page and O'Neill for two years. On June 10, 1958, she married Nick Ramold and had seven children. Nick passed away on March 10, 2004, after almost 46 years of marriage.

A part of Karen died when her husband passed away. However, she did her best to create a new life, playing cards at the Blarney Stone, taking gambling trips and forming new friendships. Since her husband's death, Karen battled lung cancer, gall bladder cancer and PSP (a form of Parkinson's). Most of these battles she won because she was a spunky fighter.

Karen tried to find the good in life, appreciate the simple things and enjoyed spending time with her family, almost as much as she enjoyed playing poker. She delivered Meals on Wheels and started the St. Patrick's guitar choir in 1980. She also started playing the guitar and singing for the weekly mass at the Golden LivingCenter in the 1980's.

There is no greater gift than to lay down your life for another. Karen "laid down her life" by making many sacrifices to cook a meal, hem a pant leg, wash clothes, lend money, paint a room and whatever else was needed. The greatest gift Karen bestowed on those she loved was sharing her faith. She often referred to the Bible and talked about how Jesus would handle each situation. She was quite wise. It probably came from knowing Jesus. She taught her children to pray and always prodded them toward the Lord. Karen read the Bible almost daily and shared a word from scripture to anyone who was downtrodden.

Karen always kept the big picture in mind. She knew our real purpose for living was to put God first. She often said, "We are just pilgrims passing through. This is not our real home." Another favorite Bible verse was "lean not unto your own understanding." Karen had a strong faith which was a free gift from God.

Karen is survived by five sons and two daughters: Mike (Concey) Ramold of O'Neill, Nick (Beth) Ramold of Neligh, Bryan (Wendy) Ramold of Charlotte, NC, Patti (Gib) Kelly of Page, Robert (Vicky) Ramold of Grand Island, Kay (Jeff) Mudloff of Page and Jeff (Dru) Ramold of Omaha; eight sisters and four brothers; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Nick, her parents, Katheryn and Charles Mahony and sister, Mary Jo Gallagher.

Karen will be missed greatly. She was appreciated for her humor, matter-of-fact approach and willingness to take on an injustice. She was God's perfect blend of strength and tenderness. She portrayed a tough exterior that never cared about what others thought, yet underneath she had a tender heart. She championed the underdog and reached out to the disenchanted. She wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed and never shied away from an argument. She has shaped her kids and her influence will go on for generations. May Karen continue to make music in heaven with God. We'll see her soon. We will love and remember her forever.