Ramona Gay Vaca

Ramona Gay Vaca of Kansas City, KS passed away on August 20, 2023, in her home with her children by her side at the age of 65 after a long hard-fought battle with breast cancer. Ramona was born on June 5, 1958, to Elmer and Joan Nilges. She was 1 of 12 children and the eldest daughter. Ramona graduated from Christ the King in 1976. At the age of 15, she met her soulmate and the love of her life Russell Vaca through her older brother, and he’s had her heart ever since. Russell and Ramona dated for approximately 2 years and were married on September 11, 1976, at Christ the King Catholic Church. In February of 1978 they added a little boy to their family and on Easter in April 1979 they added their little girl.

 

Ramona loved to spend time with her friends and family. She loved helping people in any way that she could and would do anything for anyone. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and sewing. Her favorite thing to do was go anywhere with her husband by her side. She loved volunteering for Wyandotte Angels, going to coffee with the girls and spoiling her dogs. Ramona was a stay-at-home mom and housewife for several years before starting an in-home daycare. She enjoyed being involved in her children’s activities and school PTA. She also loved her daycare kids very much.

 

Ramona and her husband moved to Colorado for about a year following their dream to live in the mountains but returned to Kansas City after the birth of their first grandchild. Ramona worked for Bonner Springs Elementary School in the cafeteria for several years and then went to work for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County as a housekeeper until May of 2020.

Ramona is survived by her children Russell Vaca Jr (Janniece) of Kansas City, KS and Jennifer Lucas (Jen) of Mountain View, MO. She is also survived by her brothers Alan Nilges (Martha), Wayne Nilges (Julie), Dale Nilges (Ruth), Ronald Nilges (Lana), Brian Nilges (Lori), Kevin Nilges (Jenni), and sisters Beverly Hartley (Billy), Anita Wing, and Marcie Long. She is survived by her mother-in-law Marilyn Vaca, brother-in-law John Vaca (Kay), and sister-in-law Diane Vaca. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Colyn Lucas (Hannah), Julianna Lucas, Elizabeth Cannon, Zecharia Hoffman, Lillianna Hoffman, Alexander Trauernicht, Kevin Stewart, Kylee Stewart, Kaden Wilson, Kason Stewart, and a granddaughter on the way. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also leaves behind many extended family, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years Russell Vaca, her father Elmer Nilges, her mother Joan Nilges, father-in-law John Vaca, and brothers Stephen Nilges

and Dennis Nilges.

 

Ramona’s family would like to thank the staff at Vitas Hospice for the wonderful care and kindness that you gave her and our family throughout this time.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wyandotte Angels, a charity that was near and dear to Ramona’s heart.

Wyandotte Angels – 4434 N 79th St Kansas City, KS 66109

 

A memorial service will be held for friends and family on October 1, 2023 at Pierson Park Community Center from 4pm-8pm.