Winifred 'Winnie' Rose Ragona's Obituary
Winifred 'Winnie' Rose Ragona (Howe), age 83 of Centerville, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016 at her home.
Winnie was born on December 22, 1932, the daughter of Lawrence (Cotton) and Jenny (Hamilton) Howe in Mystic, Iowa. Winnie was raised in Mystic with her two brothers and two sisters. She often reminisced about life in Mystic and told many stories about growing up there. She loved to talk about the endless trains that went through town, especially during World War II when the trains carried soldiers on their way to training or coming home from the war.
Winnie married the love of her life, Andrew Ragona on January 8, 1949 at the St. Francis Rectory in Mystic. From this union, two children were born, Nancy and Andrew Jr. (Andy).
While Andrew worked at the family coal mine, Winnie also worked outside the home. When the coal mines shut down, the Ragonas took a chance and bought an empty building on the corner of Hwy 2 & 5. On March 20, 1964, Winnie and Andrew opened Double R Dairy Bar. While at the Double R she touched so many people with her kindness that she offered, and the jobs she had provided to others.
Winnie enjoyed her family most of all. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She was always everyone's favorite. She especially loved the holidays.
Winnie also enjoyed her friends, playing endless hours of bingo and cards with them. Later in life she and Andrew would take trips to the casino with family and friends.
Winnie is survived by her son-in-law, Wayne Hoffman of Centerville; a daughter- in-law, Sandy Ragona of Dubuque; a brother, Jim (the late Bev) Howe of Ottumwa; a sister, Betty Jo Thompson of Des Moines; sister-in-laws, Peggy ( the late Glen) Howe of Centerville, Jeanie (the late Terry) Farley of Davenport, and Margaret (the late Charlie) of Kansas City, Missouri; brother-in-laws, Joe (Peggy) Ragona of Donahue, and Jim (the late Jo Ann) Kauzlarich of Centerville; seven grandchildren, Bob Hoffman of California, Michael (Vicki) Hoffman of Centerville, Michelle Sands of Centerville, Robbie Sands of Centerville, Wendy (Jason) McElvain of Centerville, Joey (Mindy) Ragona of Iowa City and Drew (Shalee) Hoffman of Centerville; thirteen great grandchildren, Kelsey (Adam) Fisk, Tyler (Deanna) Shanahan, Damon Hoffman, Jordan Woodward, Sabrina Sands, R.J. McElvain, Alyssa McElvain, Shadoh Hoffman, Payden Hoffman, Bella Ragona, Aiven Hoffman, Maya Ragona, and Alfonso Hoffman; four great great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew J. Ragona; a daughter, Nancy Rose Hoffman; a son, Andrew J. Ragona Jr.; her parents, Lawrence and Jenny Howe; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Patricia Ragona; brother and sister-in law, Johnny (Bonnie) Ragona; and sister and brother-in-law, Marge (Dean) Hannam.
Per Winnie's wishes, she will be cremated. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 5-7PM at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville. Memorials have been established to the family of Winnie Ragona and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 South 18th St. Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
2016-12-20 17:00:00
19:00:00
Lange Funeral Home & Crematory
1900 South 18th St
Centerville
IA
52544
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