Martha Ramsey
January 12, 2018 ~ January 11, 2018Share using:
Martha (Bowers) Ramsey
MUNCIE—Martha Genevieve (Bowers) Ramsey, age 87, passed away on Thursday, January 11 at Westminster Village, after an extended illness.
A Muncie native, Martha was born on December 3, 1930 to Leoras and Margaret Fletcher Bowers. Martha attended local schools, and was graduated in 1948 from Selma High School.
Martha married Dale Edward Ramsey on October 16, 1949. The young couple resided in Muncie before moving to Crawfordsville, IN where they owned Ramsey Farm Equipment and Ramsey Marine Sales on the banks of Sugar Creek. More than 50 years ago, they helped sponsor the Sugar Creek Canoe Race.
Martha worked for many years as the bookkeeper for both family firms. After selling theircompanies in 1976, Martha was employed in the trust department at the Elston Bank and also worked as a Realtor for Acme-Shuey, Hauck, Inc. During this time, Martha was volunteer coordinator for the Culver Union Hospital, managing the candy striper program.
Active with the Crawfordsville Business and Professional Women (BPW), Martha served as president of the chapter in 1968-69.Coming from an era where most young women were groomed primarily for homemaker roles, she was ahead of her time, championing the cause of young women’s right to an education. Marthawas instrumental in establishing a BPW college scholarship program and encouraging girls to develop to their full potential. A wonderful mother and role model, she madesure that her own daughters received college educations.
Martha was the first woman selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Crawfordsville Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Crawfordsville.
After the sale of their businesses, Dale and Martha travelled extensively in the United States, Canada and overseas. They also lived in Palm Springs, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; and Clearwater, FL; before settling in Sun City West, AZ where they resided for 26 years.
In Palm Springs, they owned SmokeTree Village Hardware. In each city, Martha immediately volunteered at local hospitals. In the Clearwater area, she was volunteer of the year and president of the hospital auxiliary.
In Sun City West, Martha was active in real estate, hospital volunteer work and bridge clubs which she loved as the Ramsey's pursued a relaxed lifestyle in the Del Webb Retirement Communities. Known as the “go-to” couple in the neighborhood, Dale and Martha helped fellow residents hang pictures and drapes, move furniture, hold garage sales, grocery shop and sell their cars.They also made regular expeditions to transport neighbors to doctors and hospitals.
In 2011, Dale and Martha returned to Indiana, living in Bloomington and Columbus before returning to Muncie.
Martha is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dale Edward Ramsey; three daughters, Rachel Truax of La Porte, TX; Nancy Jo Ramsey of Lexington, KY; and Shirley “Sue” Ramsey of Muncie; grandchildren, Kathleen Hammerle of Houston, TX; Genevieve Packer of Lexington, KY; Steve Krause of St. Louis, MO; Rebecca Krause of Nez Perce, ID; and Benton Ramsey Costello of Taipei, Taiwan; and several nieces and nephews.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Leoras and Margaret Fletcher Bowers, and siblings, Dinno Bowers, Joe Bowers, Lois Heaton, Rosemary Jester, and Margaret (Peggy) Marley.
Graveside services will be conducted in Tomlinson Cemetery.
Donors may make memorial contributions to the charity of their choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family in care of www.parsonmortuary.com.