Ramona Beringer

Ramona “Mona” Beringer, 86, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Gettysburg, SD, passed away peacefully at home in Mesa, AZ on August 13, 2026.

A celebration of life will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Laura Cook presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ramona Pearl Riley was born February 10, 1940, in Jordan, Montana to Herschel K. Riley and Margaret V. Riley. She was raised in Hood River, Oregon and graduated high school in 1958. She then attended Presentation School of Nursing for 3 years in Aberdeen, SD. On June 25, 1960, Mona married LaVerne “Chip” Jensen in Yankton, SD. In August 1960, Chip and Mona moved to Gettysburg, SD where Chip started teaching junior high and high school. Mona started working at the hospital and worked there for most of the next 40 years. To this union, 3 children were born, Jay Dean Jensen November 24, 1965, Taryl Dawn Jensen February 2, 1969, and Eric Eugene Jensen December 13, 1969.

During her years at the hospital, she worked in the Coronary Care Unit, worked as a traveling nurse, and also worked with the ground and air ambulance, cardiac rehab, and the community care clinic.

In addition to supporting her family, she was an active member of Gettysburg Jaycettes, American Cancer Society, Gettysburg Centennial committee, United Methodist Church member and volunteer, VFW Auxiliary member, and board member of the Gettysburg Country Club.

She was selected Gettysburg Citizen of the Year in 1999.

Her husband Chip died June 22, 1980. After raising Jay, Taryl, and Eric, she married Dan Beringer on September 24, 1988. From this union, she received 4 bonus Beringer sons: Monte, Dave, Wayne, and Chris. Over the next 23 years, Dan and Mona golfed, volunteered for committees, and sang together for the Oahe Manor and many local events in Gettysburg.

In 2011, Dan and Mona moved to Mesa, AZ for the warmer climate. Dan continued to cut hair, and Mona got involved in local volunteer work. She welcomed family and friends, especially those up north to enjoy the warm winters in Arizona. They thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years playing Bocce Ball, Pickle Ball, playing cards, and board games. She also started painting portraits in 2002. Some of her portraits won awards in local art competitions. She also developed a second family with her devotion to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Her greatest enjoyment occurred when her family came to visit.

Husband Dan died July 26, 2024. Mona eventually went to a senior living apartment in Mesa. As her health started to decline over the last year, Perry and Jean Hall heroically stepped up to care for her needs throughout her illness and communicated with her family and doctors. Their compassion and dedication was limitless and greatly appreciated by Mona and her family.

Those left to cherish her memories and mourn her are sisters, Dawn Rookhuizen of Billings, MT and Kay Beecher of Billings, MT; her children, Taryl Jensen of Eaton, NY and Eric (Phuong-Lynh) Jensen of Dalton, GA; grandchildren, Kierre Jensen of Eaton, NY, MaiLynh Jensen of Greenville, SC, and VyLynh Jensen of Athens, GA. Her bonus children, Monte Beringer of Sioux Falls, SD, Dave (Shawn) Beringer of Sioux Falls, SD, Wayne Beringer of Sioux Falls, SD, and Chris (Andre) Beringer of Mitchell, SD; bonus grandchildren, Dani Moe, Will (Kira) Beringer, Patrick Perrault (Aleah), Leah (Karen) Beringer, and Andrew Beringer; and bonus great grandchildren, Kinsley Jensen, Taytum Jensen, Phoebe Perrault, and Ember Perrault.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herschel K. Riley and Margaret Riley; stepmother, Wilma Riley; husbands, Chip Jensen in 1980 and Dan Beringer in 2024; brother, Gene Riley; sister, Lyn Riley; and son, Jay Jensen.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ramona’s arrangements.