Ramona Lee Schierbaum Printz-Smith

Ramona Lee Schierbaum Printz-Smith, 93, passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022, at her home. Cremation will take place. A visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Friday, December 02, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 03, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the J.C. Little Theater.

She was born on September 21, 1929, the daughter of Vane and Gladys Schierbaum on a farm near Concordia, Kansas. Ramona graduated from Concordia High School in 1947, then obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Ottawa University in 1951. In 1949, she married Lloyd Printz of Clay Center, Kansas. They had three children; Gregory, Bradley, and Deanna. In 1993, married Don Smith.

Ramona taught piano lessons and music education classes for over forty years. Twenty of those years were spent at Junction City High School teaching piano, music theory, and vocal classes. For many years, Ramona spent her time serving as a musical director, accompanist, and seamstress for many theater productions at the JC Little Theater. She also dedicated time to the First Presbyterian Church by playing the organ for around twenty years, she wrote church articles for the monthly newsletter for over twelve years, and served two terms as an elder.

Over the years, Ramona was a very active member of the community and advocate for arts in many capacities. She also advocated for equal pay for women in the school district. Not only did she get to teach and share her passion of music, but she also helped celebrate the small achievements with her students. Her positive outlook and wonderful presence will be dearly missed.

Fun Facts: She had two separates holes-in-one while playing golf, of which she was so proud. After retirement, Ramona enjoyed traveling with Don on many different adventures. She wrote her memoirs in her seventies, which is over three-hundred pages and has so many rich memories to pass on to her loved ones. At the age of seventy, she performed a full piano recital at the church. Ramona was nominated for the Master Teacher Award in 1985. Lastly, she was a contestant on The Price Is Right in 2004.

Ramona is survived by one son; Greg Printz of Cushing, Texas; one daughter, Deanna "De De" (Eric) Skultety of Stilwell, Kansas; two step-children, Donna (Jimmy) Scott of Fort Worth, Texas, Avis (David) Wright of Fort Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, Jesse (Emma) Printz of Plano, Texas, Lisa (David) Raber of Castro Valley, California, Nathan (Madeline) Printz of Overland Park, Kansas, Dana (Dustin) Skultety of Spokane, Washington; four great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Calvin, Ripley, and Bowen; and a host of nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.

She was preceded by her parents Vane and Gladys Schierbaum; her sister, Marilyn Johnston; her first husband Lloyd Printz; her second husband, Don Smith; and her son Brad Printz.