Ramona "Mona" A. Babl

Ramona "Mona" Ann Babl, 94, of O'Neill, died peacefully on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Accura Healthcare Center in O'Neill.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. Catholic Daughter's Rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick's Altar Society or the Catholic Daughters in Ramona's name.

Ramona, affectionately known as "Mona," was born to Leo and Bridget (Boyle) Schneider on Oct. 3, 1930 in O'Neill. Ramona attended country school through the eighth grade and the St. Mary's Academy during her high school years where she boarded until her graduation in May of 1949.  

She worked at M&M Bakery every day after school. After high school graduation, she attended Wayne Normal College, earning her teacher's certificate. She then began teaching in a rural school district for several years, then becoming a full-time mom, where she earned her greatest rewards.

On Dec. 29th 1953, Ramona was united in marriage to Wendell Babl at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. To this union 13 children were born Tony, Larry, Bob, Ed, Beth, Barb, Mary Jo, Charlie, Rich, James, Mike, Wendy and Vicki. They made their home on the family farm Northwest of O'Neill, where Ramona raised amazing gardens every summer and always shared the produce with neighbors and friends after canning to provide for their family. Sewing, cooking, baking and picking chickens were just some of her many skills.

Ramona was raised on a farm, worked on a farm and lived the farm life most of her days. A mother of 13 children says a lot of Ramona, but there is so much more. She spent her life doing community service, helping various church organizations, hosting neighborhood gathering places, hostess of the daily "John Street Coffee Club," counselor, advisor and friend to so many and she also received the Modern Woodman's Hometown Heros award in 2005 for all of her community involvement.  

As a member of the St. Patrick's Alter Society, Ramona served nearly every funeral dinner held at the St. Patrick's Parish Hall, supplying her famous macaroni salad.  

Ramona also worked at Tielke's Dairy Supply and Deli making salads, sandwiches, and meat and cheese trays establishing more friendships near and far.  

Ramona was an avid Husker Fan! She rarely missed a Husker football or volleyball game if it was on TV.

Seamstress to many, grandmother to 25 and great-grandmother to 18 but adopted grandmother to numerous others. Raising a family of 13, food could be scarce at times but there was always enough for a "drop in" family member or friends. It wasn't Pizza Hut pizza or carryout from McDonald's either. It was homemade fried chicken, gravy and taters or always homemade cinnamon rolls, donuts, bread or something on that line. When the family sat down to eat, the table was full and crowded, no doubt, but there was always room to squeeze in one more chair if someone brought a friend home. For some Ramona's house was a "home away from home." 

She kept Hallmark in business for a long time with all the cards she has sent over the years for anniversaries, birthdays, sympathy or maybe "just because."  Not to mention all the trips to visit sick in the hospital, serving trays at the local nursing home and delivering Meals on Wheels and St. Patrick's Adoration Chapel. Her volunteering goes on and on. She has taken care of terminally ill relatives, friends and past neighbors with no pay except the satisfaction of doing God's work. As the old saying goes "It's the behind-the-scenes people who really make things happen." Ramona could go the rest of her life without the recognition she deserves.

Ramona is survived by her 11 children Tony Babl of Emmet, Larry (Diane) Babl of Mitchell, SD, Beth Babl of Commerce City, CO, Barb Lindberg of Stapleton, Mary Jo (Jeff) Petersen of O'Neill, Charlie (Shelly) Babl and Rich (Debbie) Babl, all of Norfolk, James Babl of Laurel, Mike Babl of McCleary, WA, Wendy (Todd) Grosse of Fremont and Vicki (Gabe) Baros of North Glenn, CO; one daughter-in-law Rosann Babl of O'Neill; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one sister Elizabeth Bowers of Rapid City, SD; two sisters-in-law Ann Schneider and Toni Schneider, both of O'Neill; and many nieces and nephews. 

Ramona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years Wendell Babl in 2015; an infant son and  her two sons Ed Babl in 2008, and Robert Babl in 2021; one granddaughter Haleigh Babl; five brothers James, Don, George, Tom and Gene; and one sister Marie.