Ramona Marlene May (Hustad)

In Loving Memory of Ramona Marlene (Hustad) May 

March 5, 1932 – June 18, 2025

Ramona Marlene (Hustad) May, age 93, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 18, 2025. A faithful woman of God, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Ramona’s life was a daily testimony of her deep and abiding faith. A faithful follower of Jesus Christ, she longed for others to see Him in her life and to know His saving grace. Ramona was committed to a ministry of prayer, whether at church or alone at home. Her Bible was never far from reach, and beside her chair sat a stack of small papers—names and needs she prayed over daily. Her ministry of intercession was a quiet but powerful force in the lives of many. Ramona leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering prayer.

Born on a farm in Echo, Minnesota on March 5, 1932, Ramona was the daughter of Peter and Amanda Hustad. She grew up in a hardworking and musical family. Ramona graduated from Echo High School in 1949. She was musically gifted, playing the piano and singing to the Lord until the last days of her life. Her music was a source of comfort and praise, echoing the joy she found in her Savior. From a young age, she shared her love of music with her sisters Irene, Lois, and Bonnie, singing at home and church. Her love of music led her to St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College) where she sang in the choir and ensembles, while pursuing a music degree. During this time, she met her future husband, Gene, while they were paired together in the bridal party of friends in Superior, WI. They were married there in September of 1954, and soon started their family.

Being 100% Norwegian, Ramona had an amazing work ethic and focus, which served her well throughout her life. She cooked, canned and pickled, sewed dresses for her daughters’ events, attended her children’s concerts and games and even reupholstered her mother’s sofa she inherited! She often whistled while she worked, and that as lovely as a songbird, occasionally punctuated with a heartfelt, “uffda!” Her quick wit would surprise and delight people. Ramona was a beautiful lady of style, strength, and grace. She was a dutiful and sacrificial mother, willing to give of herself for her family, doing what was needed, or even “going without” for them. While raising her five children, Ramona worked in the Federal Government as a secretary for several departments, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FDA. Ramona was a wordsmith by nature, well matched for her career, becoming proficient in shorthand, typing, and ultimately computer skills.

Ramona had the heart of a country girl throughout her life. She delighted in God’s creation and often marveled at the beauty around her. While living on a hobby farm in Hamel, Minnesota, she grew abundant gardens. Sundays often included toting grocery bags full of produce to share with church family and friends. Many times, Ramona would recall those years as a most vibrant and healthy season of her life.

Ramona is preceded in death by her husband Eugene “Gene” Allen May, her parents, Peter and Amanda Hustad, and sisters, Irene (Henry) Lewison, Lois (James) Humphries, and Bonnie (Melvin) Johnson. She is survived by her five children: Mona (Stanley) Melling, Sheila (Scott) Wier, Sandra (Douglas) Dahl, Peter (Tami Lee) May, and Heidi Johnson; her nine grandchildren: Peter (Jessica) Melling, Christopher (Kelly) Dahl, Lisa (Nathaniel) Andersen, Lauren (Adam) Niederloh, Eric (Larissa) Melling, Spencer (Kimberly) Dahl, John Wier, Mark Wier, and Xavier May; and twenty-three great-grandchildren—each of whom she carried in her heart and lifted up in prayer.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, July 18th at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior, beginning at 10:00 AM, at New Hope Church, 4225 Gettysburg Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428.

Ramona’s family rejoices in the knowledge that she is now home with the Lord Jesus, in whom she trusted and loved so deeply.