Obituaries

Joseph 'Joe' Wayne Ramaker

Photo of Joseph 'Joe' Wayne Ramaker
Joe Ramaker, age 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at Prairie Meadows Senior Living in Kasson, Minn. Joe was born on May 28, 1930, in Preston, Minn., to Carrol and Frances Ramaker. In 1948, he graduated from Preston High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged. On Jan. 23, 1954, he married Lois Jean Jacobson in Preston. He worked for the Mayo Clinic in general service. He later worked for IBM Rochester. He then sold real estate in Rochester before owning and operating Ramaker Realty in Chatfield, Minn. He enjoyed operating his farm in Chatfield, including his prized herd of Shorthorn cattle, Blegium and quarter horses, and many other animals. Later, Joe and Lois moved to Bella Vista, Ark., where he continued to sell real estate and operate a cattle farm. Joe had a lifelong passion for gardening. He worked in many garden nurseries in Minnesota and Arkansas, where he helped landscape many homes. He was awarded "Yard of the Year" in Bella Vista, Ark., and was known to many people in the garden community as "Mr. Joe." He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois of Rochester; his children, Jill (Fred) Woodward Kuhn of Bella Vista, Ark., Lynn (Terry) Tomke of Alamogordo, N.M., Michael "Mike" of Newport, Ark.; grandchildren, Seth Jacobs, Emily Woodward, Lincoln Jacobs, Laura (Chris) Woodward-Liston, Molly and Maurie Tomke; great-grandchildren, Logan and Drake Jacobs, Natalie Woodward; a twin brother, Jerry (Sylvia) of Rochester; a brother, James "Jim" (Jackie) of Wells, Minn.; an "adopted" son, James "Jim" Ryan, and special friend to Mike, Jill and Lynn. A memorial service for Joe will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Ave. SE, Rochester, MN 55904, with Pastor Anjanette K. Bandel officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic cancer research, Heartland Hospice or Bella Vista Community Church.

Published November 17, 2013

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