JELLOWAY – Mary Elizabeth Ramser, 92, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at her home near the Village of Jelloway. Mary was born on May 1, 1928, in Jelloway, to the late Walter and Flo (Frasher) Blakely.
She was a graduate of Loudonville High School and The Ohio State University with a degree in occupational therapy. Mary 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. Mary and Russ established the 680-acre Ramser Arboretum in 1996 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, serving in many roles, and especially enjoyed visitation with church and community members. For many years, Mary 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 ofhumor, generosity, storytelling and wit.
Mary is survived by her children, Susan Ramser (ChrisBowman) 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; four brothers-in-law, Robert Ramser, John Ramser, Richard Ramser and Dean Torges; and sisters-in-law, Janice Ramser and Anne Blakely.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Mary will beheld on Sunday, May 1, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Jelloway United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jelloway UnitedMethodist 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.
