65718_Eileen M._Ramaekers
Mason City — Eileen M. Ramaekers, 75, of Singer Island, Fla., and formerly of Mason City, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, surrounded by her family at her home on Singer Island.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th St. S.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Neil Manternach as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at a future date in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.
A memorial visitation will be held Thursday evening, March 7, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, from 5 to 7 p.m. with the rosary to be recited at 7 p.m.
In keeping with Eileen’s generosity, the family suggests memorials to be left in Eileen’s name to Hospice of Palm Beach County, Florida, St. Francis Catholic Church in Riviera Beach, Florida, or to Newman Catholic School in Mason City.
Eileen Marie Pietig was born on July 6, 1937, in Carroll, the daughter of Louis and Genevieve (Rupiper) Pietig. She attended and graduated from St. Angela’s Catholic Academy in Carroll before continuing her education at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City.
On Sept. 26, 1956, Eileen was united in marriage to Thomas Ramaekers in Carroll; together they would be blessed with four children and share nearly 50 years together.
On July 9, 1959, the couple moved to northern Iowa after Tom was discharged from the military, to begin operating the Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. in Mason City until their retirement in 1990.
In her younger years Eileen loved golfing in the Ladies’ League at Highland Golf Course and playing bridge. She also loved listening to live music and dancing. During the summer months the family loved traveling to Spirit Lake where Eileen’s family had a cabin. In later years she spent her days traveling, going on cruises and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
For the last 23 years Eileen has resided in Florida where she enjoyed the warm weather, relaxing near the pool and visiting with her many friends.
Eileen was a faithful supporter of the Oblate Missions, recently contributing to the construction of a new Catholic school in Haiti. She was also a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Riviera Beach, Fla., and had a deep devotion to Catholicism.
Those grateful in sharing in her life are her children, Rachele Norcross, Mason City, Kristy Ramaekers, Mason City, Marty (Carol) Ramaekers, Mason City, and Randy (Kathryn) Ramaekers, Des Moines; and their father, Thomas Ramaekers, Mason City; grandchildren, Tyler Norcross, Hannah Norcross, Ben (Racee) Francis and their son, Ryker; Chelsea Francis and her son, Lennon; Nikolas Francis, Andrew (Laura) Ramaekers, Madilyn-Ramaekers, Erica Ramaekers, Elise Ramaekers, and Olivia Ramaekers; her siblings, Janet (William) Houston, John (Diane) Pietig and Louis (Mary Ann) Pietig; her sister-in-law, Patty Pietig; as well as many extended relatives and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Robert Norcross; brother, James Pietig; a sister in infancy, Mary Louise Pietig; and nephew, Jeff Pietig.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, 641-423-2372. ColonialChapels.com.