** There will be an open house, Celebration of Dea's life, on Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 12-8:00 pm, at the Lions Park in Watertown.
We realize that these are trying times and would like to respect all of our friends and family. In the spirit of this, we are inviting close friends and family to attend both the wake and funeral. We are encouraging the use of masks during these events. We understand not everyone is comfortable in large group settings and have decided to invite those who feel this way, to join us this summer for a celebration of Dea’s life in an outdoor lower risk environment. All of those who wish to attend this tentative June event, please email us at the following address: ramlfamily2021@gmail.com. We will update those interested once plans are finalized.
Delores “Dea” Raml (Phipps), 68 of Watertown, South Dakota joined the Lord on December 26, 2020. She passed peacefully into the Lord’s arms while sleeping at her home.
Visitation will be from 4-7pm, Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, SD.
Funeral mass was held at 11:00 am, Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown.
Dea was born in Watertown, SD on March 11, 1952 to parents Harold “Shorty” and Ethel (Pratt) Phipps.
Dea was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ethel, and her beloved cats Neo and Miss Lillie.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years Steven Raml, son Michael (Emily) of Linwood, MN, grandsons Hunter and Alexander, her son Matthew (Michelle) of Watertown, SD, twin granddaughters Andi and Arden, and her daughter Melissa of Sartell, MN.
Dea is also survived by her brothers Dale Phipps and Donald (Carol) Phipps, and her sister Diann (Danny) Walsh along with many nieces and nephews.
Dea and Steve were married in Watertown SD at Immaculate Conception on June 24, 1972. Their marriage was built around a strong Christian faith, family, and a great love for the lake life at their ‘castle’ in northern Minnesota. Steve and Dea’s marriage spanned nearly five decades, two states, and a various careers along the way. Dea and Steve also sponsored two exchange students while living in Minnesota, Josel Leonet (Venezuela) and Julia Kapunkt (Germany).
Dea enjoyed her daily rosary and devotional prayers along with her community prayer groups. She loved sewing with the neighborhood craft group in St. Cloud, MN and later cross stitching and crocheting on her gliding chair while watching some of her favorite movies, like Star Wars and television shows such as The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune. These great loves were still a distant second to her family, friends, faith, and fondness of animals, including birds, and absolute love of her cats and dogs that have been part of the family throughout the years. As a self-proclaimed “Crazy Cat Lady,” Dea was always up for a good shenanigan, loved sharing a blue freezie with loved-ones on the deck, cherished her pretties, found joy engaging with her Facebook family, and absolutely loved Christmastime!
May she be surrounded by her favorites: cats, rainbows, hummingbirds, cardinals, and angels.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family’s intentions are to memorialize Immaculate Conception Church and School, as well as the Wounded Warrior Project. Please send memorials to the funeral home. Wight and Comes Funeral Chapel is serving the family- www.wightandcomes.com.