Ramona Shepherd

A Celebration of Life for Ramona “Mona” Shepherd, 92, of Baker will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at American Lutheran Church in Baker with Don Buerkle officiating.  Burial will follow at the Shepherd Ranch at a later date.

Visitation for family and friends will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a prayer service starting at 6:00 pm.

Mona passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Fallon Medical Complex in Baker.

Ramona Selma Phebus was born on October 9, 1931, in Baker, Montana to Flace and Selma (Gregerson) Phebus.  She grew up and attended school in Baker, graduating from Baker High School.  She later attended Billings Business College, graduating in two years.

Mona returned to Baker, where she met the love of her life, Ronald Shepherd.  The couple married in Baker on May 27, 1951, living and loving side by side for almost 73 years.  They were blessed with three children, Lana, Lance, and Chad.  Together, the couple raised their family in Baker.

Mona taught at Mill Creek Country School and Willard Country School while Ron served in the military.  She also taught kindergarten at home and worked as an assistant at the public school.  In the late 70s, she started Mona’s Floral and Wedding Boutique.  She operated it for the next twenty years.  Water coloring and playing bridge were favorite pastimes.

Mona taught Sunday school, was active in ALCW, and was the first woman to serve on the church council.  She served as a state officer for the Jayceens.  Mona began the Golden Girls and called them every week to remind them when and where they would gather.  She did the same for the Bible study ladies and enjoyed coffee time with the women at Superior Care.

Mona and Ron had numerous friends and family members live with them in their home throughout the years.  She left a strong legacy of inclusion that had a positive impact on many people, especially “Yogi” Eugene Bird.

Mona is survived by her loving husband, Ron; children, Lana (Dan) Buerkle of Plevna, Lance (Jackie) Shepherd of Baker, and Chad (Christina) Shepherd of Ekalaka; grandchildren, Bradn (Natasha) Buerkle, Bryan (Karen) Buerkle, Britt (Nicole) Buerkle, Brook (Michael) Newell, Selma Shepherd, Lane (Fiancée Caroline) Shepherd, Kendall Shepherd, Danica Shepherd, Allie Shepherd, and Landry Shepherd; 12 great-grandchildren; and sister, JoAnn (Francis) Madler of Spearfish, SD.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Drury Phebus; sisters, Gloria Dietz, Beverly Hill, and Sharon Helgeson.