Ramona (Amaro) Casarez

We regretfully announce the passing of Ramona Casarez of Marshall, MI on September 08, 2023. Ramona was surrounded by her loving family and passed away peacefully.

Our mother, Ramona, was one of the strongest, kindest women to ever walk this earth and our family was blessed to have her as the head of the family. While living in Laredo, Texas she met Miguel Casarez and together they went on to have 9 children. Ramona was a wonderful and loving mother who gave her all to her family. Along with raising her 9 children she also raised several of her younger siblings. After raising her family Ramona went back to school to earn her diploma from Marshall High School in 1983 alongside her two youngest children Mario and Monica. We will never be able to fill the space left behind by her.

Ramona was a life-long devout Catholic and member of St. Mary's Parish, where she was a member of the choir, and the assistant director of the children's choir. She was so devoted to the choir and loved to sing that she would leave her family on Christmas Eve to join the choir. Ramona worked directly for Father Jim Barrett in the Parish home and then in later years Ramona was a dedicated caregiver for him. She was a member of the Kalamazoo Diocese Hispanic Committee where she attended a Cursillo.

Ramona volunteered for many years at the MAC along with her family during the Christmas holiday filling baskets and preparing food for all the volunteers. She had also visited area migrant farms to deliver items she herself had purchased or to give her own unused clothes or personal items to those in need. Her true passion was cooking for large family gatherings and catering for many events held by family and friends throughout the area. Family came first and was above all else, a value she instilled in those around her.

Ramona is survived by six of her children, Ema Ortiz, Felipe Casarez, Michael (Kelly) Casarez, Jeffery (Lisa) Casarez, Mario Casarez, Monica (Fred) Ramirez; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and sister, Antonia Pena-Newkirk.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Miguel Casarez; three children, Amelia Aleman, Ricardo "Magic" Casarez and Stevie Casarez; parents, Padro and Lupe (Ramos) Amaro; nine siblings.

Visitation and viewing will be held at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068 on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM, led by Fr. Jacob Thomas. A funeral mass will take place at St. Mary Catholic Church Parish, which is on the corner of Eagle and Green Streets, Marshall, MI 49068 on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM, Fr. Jacob Thomas, Celebrant. The Committal Service will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 18245 Centennial Road, Marshall, MI 49068.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Ramona’s memory to St. Mary Catholic Church, 212 W Hanover Street, Marshall, MI 49068 or online at https://stmarymarshall.org/donate as her church was very important to her.

Also, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.