Mary J. (Ramp) Mills

PORTAGE –  Mary J. (Ramp) Mills, age 65, of Portage, devoted wife, loving mother and beloved grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 12, 2011 after a brief illness.  Mary faced her cancer battle with dignity and grace, but in the end the cancer won.  She is now free and flying with the angels above.  She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends and the lives of people she touched.

Mary was born on November 27, 1945, in Hinsdale, IL to Arthur and Helen Ramp.  Mary grew up and went to school in La Grange, IL, and later worked for Illinois Bell where she would eventually meet her future husband, John.  Mary and John were united in marriage on June 4, 1966 in La Grange, where they continued to live before making their home in Portage.  It was here that they raised their family and where Mary relished in being a good mother and homemaker to her three children.  In her spare time, she enjoyed baking, sewing, gardening, boating, playing cards and board games with her family, and bowling.  In her later years she would often be found in front of her computer playing one of her numerous puzzle games.  She also enjoyed volunteering for a number of local organizations, most of all Meals-on-Wheels. 

She is survived by her husband, John; her children, Katherine (Shane) Terry, of Rockford, IL, David (Jennifer) Mills, of DeForest, and Daniel (Heather) Mills, also of DeForest; her grandchildren, Ashlynne, Delaynie, Connor, Brayden and Madilyn; she is further survived by her sisters, Judy (Denny) Pietrzak, of Westmont, IL, Susie (Yale) Jaffe, of Darien, IL; her brothers, Jim(Joan) Ramp, of La Grange, IL, and Steve (Anne) Ramp of Highlands Ranch, CO; her brother-in-law, Jim (Terry) Mills, of New Lisbon, as well as many nieces, nephews and special friends.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her mother and father-in-law, Ethel (Hazen) Mills and JH (Felix) Mills.  

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011, from 5pm until 8pm, at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage, (608) 742-2126.  A private memorial will be held Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Mary’s name to the Meals-on-Wheels program at the Columbia County Aging and Disability Resource Center, 2652 Murphy Rd., Portage, WI 53901, 1-888-742-9233, or the Portage Food Pantry, 211 W. Pleasant St., Portage, WI 53901, (608) 742-3774.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Home Health United Hospice Care nurses Kristen and Lois for the kind and compassionate care given to Mary in her final days.

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
We keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me”.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls.
I’ll miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes when we’re together again.
-Author Unknown.