Submitted by: Dan Rich
Elsie Jean Ramsey
South Bend Tribune 7/14/2006
Elsie Jean (Bickel) Ramsey, 83, of Mishawaka, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2006.
Born of Charles and Gertrude Bickel on June 17, 1923, she had lived most of her life in the Mishawaka/South Bend area.
Elsie married Raymond J. Ramsey in 1942, and he preceded her in death in 1998. Remaining to treasure her memory are three daughters, Gail (Lyle) Comegys, Martha (Pat) Woodruff and Sandra Lisi. Five grandchildren, Scott (Sharon) Keiser of Georgetown, Kentucky, Jeff (Dawn) Keiser of Lafayette, Raymond Woodruff of Chicago, Illinois, and Sonny and Heather Lisi of Elkhart, will keep her in their hearts forever. Her one great-grandchild, Mitchell, and many loving nieces and nephews share the loss of this loving, big-hearted woman.
Elsie had three siblings, Charles Bickel (deceased), Barbara (Russell) Hoffman of South Bend and David (Terry) Bickel of Silver Lake, Ohio, who were a constant and loving part of her life. Three sisters-in-law continued to maintain close relationships with her, Mary (Bill) Scott of Elkhart, Jeanette (Merrill) Ramsey of South Bend and Mary Lou (Charles) Bickel of California.
A “stay-at-home” wife and mother, Elsie filled her busy days with family activities. She was proud to say her girls could come home every day from school for a hot lunch and that she was always there after school. Elsie was generous with her time and talents. She had been active in several PTAs and always volunteered to be a “room mother” at school, baking goodies or chaperoning class trips. School support changed to “Grandma” support as each of her girls married and she enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren and watching them grow into adulthood. She was always the family “holiday planner” and organized and hosted many family get-togethers throughout the years; her wonderful cooking and generous spirit were well known. When her husband retired, they spent several winters as “snow birds” in St. Petersburg, FL, enjoying the company of her father-in-law and sister-in-law who lived there year-round. But she always counted the days until the first of April when she could return to her children, grandchildren and a beautiful Indiana spring.
Elsie had been an active member in the First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka for over 70 years and, until her illness, met regularly with church and high school (The 41 Club of Mishawaka High School) friends for lunch. Although she had been housebound for the last several years, she continued to be an endearing and inspirational presence in the lives of all who knew and loved her.
Honoring Elsie's request, there will be no visitation and a private celebration of her life will take place in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at the First United Methodist Church. Remembrance donations in Elsie's name may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 East Third Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.
Elsie's family is being served by Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka.