Ramona Hardcastle Madsen

Ramona was a lovely person, even as the Lord closed her eyes for the last time on January 15, 2024.

Born July 7, 1929, in the Murray Maternity Home to LaVon ‘E’ Dimond and James Ira Hardcastle.  She had a happy childhood on the family dairy farm in Sandy, Utah.  She dearly loved her big brother, Dimond, and her little sister, Donna.  She forged enduring friendships as she attended church and school in Sandy as well.  Ramona and a few of girlfriends formed a singing group and performed in church on many occasions.  These friends became lifelong friends, meeting for lunch once a month, even in their later years while their health allowed.  She developed a love of reading and the thrill of the adventure books. 

Little did she know that she would marry Rulon Paul Madsen on April 21, 1948, and that he would take her to places that she had only imagined through her books before.  Ramona and Paul were married for 72 years.  Before his passing, she was a true and faithful companion and caregiver without asking for help.  Together they lived in several states, and two countries.  She said that her favorite places were Sandy and San Francisco.

Together, Ramona and Paul had 4 children – RoLayne (Brent) Fowler; Russell Paul (Kaye) Madsen, Ranae (Harald) Olafsson, and Robyn (Alan) Gardner.  They also have 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters.  

Those who know Ramona, know that she was a living angel from the service she gave her husband and church.  We were taken to church each week, even when on vacation if possible.  She fulfilled many different callings in church over the years and was not happy when she was released as a visiting teacher when she was in her 80’s.  She also volunteered on Temple Square with her husband, at This Is the Place State Park and The Church History Museum. 

Ramona is a cancer survivor.  She always told us that life is for the living.  Rather than letting the cancer define her, Ramona tried to prosper and make plans for a future filled with hope. 

Ramona was diligent in teaching her children about God, country, and the importance of family.  

Ramona could not see the American flag without expressing her love for it and all it represents.  It did not matter if we were on foreign soil or around the block.  She never missed an opportunity to vote and was even an election judge for a time.

Each of her children were taught the value of a dollar and to prepare for the future.  We often teased her that she could make Abraham Lincoln smile on both sides of a penny, because she could pinch it so hard.  She excelled in math when you put a dollar sign in front of the numbers.  

When Paul was stationed overseas with the army, Ramona took on the role of both mother and father with efficiency and grace. She even gave birth to their last daughter while Paul was in Korea.  Ramona provided her family with a well-balanced meal every evening.  Each of her children were taught how to clean, work hard, and keep their commitments.  

She lived a modest life, helping others whenever and however she could.  She honored her ancestors and set an example for others to be kind and generous.

She loved to entertain and was always the perfect hostess.  

Ramona’s penmanship was always so beautiful. 

She was always the lady.  Ramona always took a cloth handkerchief with lace edges to church.  

Ramona loved her long, thick, curly black hair.  There was a time when she splurged to have her hair done every week.  

She also spent many hours behind a sewing machine making and repairing clothes for herself and her daughters.  When threading her sewing machine became difficult, she continued sewing by hand.  

Ramona loved her tomatoes.  In the summer, she could be found leaning over the sink with a saltshaker in one hand and a tomato in the other, eating it like an apple!  She also loved her beets, especially her pickled beets.  Her favorite birthday present was a flat of raspberries that her sister would pick and give to her.

Two years ago, just before her birthday, she wanted to know if any of her ancestors had lived as long as she had.  In looking through her genealogy, we could not find anyone who had lived to their 90’s.  She has had a full and prosperous life, outliving all her siblings, friends, and her husband Paul.  

Ramona truly taught us through example how to endure to the end and make the best out of our situations.  

The last few years, Ramona reminisced often about her parents.  We know that she is in a beautiful place and that we will one day join her there.