JELLOWAY – Mary Elizabeth Ramser, 92, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at her home near the village of Jelloway. She was born on May 1, 1928, in Jelloway, to the late Walter and Flo (Frasher) Blakely.
Mary was a graduate of Loudonville High School and The Ohio State University with a degree in occupational therapy. She worked briefly in her career field after college before marrying Russell (Russ) E. Ramser Jr. on New Year’s Day, 1951. Thereafter, with a strong work ethic developed growing up during the Depression years, she actively supported Russ in his business and agricultural pursuits. Coincidentally, Mary and Russ shared the same birth date.
In 1996, she and Russ established the 680-acre Ramser Arboretum adjacent to the village of Jelloway as an educational and outdoor recreation resource of Ohio hardwood trees for the public to enjoy. Mary was a longtime, active member of the Jelloway United Methodist Church and served in many roles, and she especially enjoyed visitation with church and community members. For many years, she and Russ enjoyed going to their winter home on Sanibel Island, Florida; where she was very active in the Sanibel Community Church.
Mary was fond of collecting shells, taking photographs and traveling. She had a deep appreciation for nature and found much joy in observing flowers and bird watching. She loved expressing her creativity through sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting and weaving. Mary was a member of the Weavers Guild and Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a devoted supporter of Compassion International and Heifer International. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, generosity, storytelling and wit.
She is survived by her children, Susan Ramser (Chris Bowman) and Mark (Denise) Ramser; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Joshua) Jaime, Russell (Christine) Ramser, and Hayley Ramser and her fiancé, Austin Stritmatter; brother-in-law, William Ramser; sisters-in-law, Alice Ramser, Lou Ramser, Carol Ramser and Mary Torges; and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Russ; her parents; brothers, Herschel, Harold and Russell; brothers-in-law, Robert Ramser, John Ramser, Richard Ramser and Dean Torges; and sisters-in-law, Janice Ramser and Anne Blakely.
Due to the current pandemic situation, there will be no calling hours or service at this time. The family expects to hold a memorial service for Mary sometime in 2021.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jelloway United Methodist Church, 21248 Wooster Road, Danville, OH 43014.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Elizabeth Ramser.
