Obituary of Ronald R Grams

Ronald R Grams died November 11th, 2023. He was born May 2nd, 1933 to Emmanuel Grams and Barbara Schutz Grams in Ritzville, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Otto and Israel, sisters Helen, Erna and Marion, his wife Claudia, and his eldest son Richard. He is survived by his brother Wilmer, children Dale (Bonnie) Grams, Holli (Steve) Kembel, (Jadine) Grams and 6 grandchildren, Janell, Rodney, Jesse, Ray, Whitney and Brooke, as well as 6 great grandchildren. Ron was a farmer whose earliest memories are farming with horses when he was 7 years old. He farmed through the generational changes of horse to tractor and modern combine. Ron took over the wheat farm from his parents, and their parents before them. The family farm continues in the care of his son, Dale. Until Ron’s 90th birthday, if you couldn’t find him, odds were, he was parked at the farm with his binoculars, watching the wheat grow and scouting for deer. Ron, Claudia and their children raised animals, tended an expansive garden, canned the best pickles and made the best sausage. Ron loved cats, having had a few great cat personalities as house cats, he also set out milk saucers in the barn for mousers and was heartbroken when kittens were lost to coyotes. Ron married Claudia Grams when he was 18 years old, and they were married until her death in 2008. Claudia was the love of his life and he spoke of her every day, until his own passing. Ron and Claudia were excellent dancers, and danced beautifully in all styles, from foxtrot to jitterbug. They loved spending time traveling with their many dear friends. Ron was a towering man at 6 foot 6 inches, with a deep bass voice, who loved classic country and rarely missed an opportunity to sing along. He read every paperback western novel ever printed, and we suspect he never missed a Mariners game. Ever a sharp dresser, to remember Ron is to remember a smart outfit and a good head of hair. Ron the sportsman hunted the once plentiful pheasants, ducks and geese in Adams County to keep dinner on the table as a young father. He harvested upwards of a dozen elk, sixty deer and hundreds of game birds over his lifetime. Ron had a deep appreciation and love for wildlife. He couldn’t swim, but that didn’t stop him from taking his children water-skiing, deep sea fishing with his sons, or teaching his grandkids to trout fish in the summer. Ron was a horseshoe champion and golfed until he was 85 with an unconventional but effective swing. He loved baseball and played from age 10 to 55. He ate bacon daily and pats of butter off the knife, and enjoyed a glass of whiskey into old age. He had the gift of health through his 90th birthday. In his passing, we will remember Ron for his unbridled joy in the everyday things- a home cooked meal, a Mariners home run, or a modest gift at Christmas time. Ron always hugged you like he meant it, a big bear hug from a big man who called everyone “partner.” It is his twinkling eye and mischievous smile we will miss the most. May we all be blessed to live and be loved as Ron was. There will be a private graveside service held at the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Ritzville Golf Association.