Romona June (Gitchell) Baxter was born on June 26, 1932 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Bruce and Sylvia Leona (Browning) Gitchell. Romona passed away on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Romona spent her entire life in the community of Shenandoah. It is here where she attended school, and as her family says, she received her "Masters in Motherhood." On September 13, 1948 she was united in marriage to Donald Lee Baxter in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Romona worked many jobs throughout her life. From shining shoes, serving ice cream at Spencer's Grocery Store and as a young girl she ran an elevator for her aunt and uncle in Minneapolis one summer. Even as a young girl she helped her mother run errands downtown and get the ice from the ice house. She also worked at Mt. Arbor Nurseries, Henry Fields, the Liquor Store, Safeway, and cared for her mother and father. In her later years she began working as a respite caregiver, caring for many in the community. She will be greatly missed.

Romona was a caring, loving and respectful woman. Her passion was her children and taking care of others. She was always there for her friends and family when they needed her most. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was currently serving as deacon. She enjoyed reading, learning about history and entertaining family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margie, Frances and Corrine; a brother Ronald; and a great-grandson Paul Daniel.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children Jack Baxter and wife Jacque of Shenandoah, IA, Danna York and husband Perry of Waverly, NE, John Baxter and wife Julie of Shenandoah, IA, Darla Bowers of Shenandoah, IA, Debra Baxter of Waverly, NE and Jay Baxter and wife Tracy of Platte City, MO; her grandchildren Joel Baxter, Jennifer Baxter, Carrie York, Amy McDonald, Megan Haring, Anna Baxter, Scott Gilbert, Robert Baxter, Madison Gilbert, Camron Gilbert, Jaymie Bowers, Chris Bowers, Cole Adkisson, Chase Baxter, Kate Baxter and Sam Baxter; great-grandchildren Lily York, Grace, Faith, Hope and Mercy McDonald, Jordyn Bowers, Jacob Bond, Jersey Bowers, Ella Baxter, Aubrey Roloff and Nathan Miller; other relatives and friends.