Rev John R Ramsey

Pastor John “Jack” Richard Ramsey was born on March 31, 1933, in Binford, North Dakota. Even as a young boy on the farm, Jack remembers feeling the call to be a minister of the gospel. He attended high school for three years at the local high school in Sutton, North Dakota,

and completed his final year at Concordia in St Paul, Minnesota. Jack married Vivian Stach in 1954, having met at a dance in Carrington, North Dakota, which featured the lively music of Whoopee John. Shortly after their marriage, Jack served two years in the United States Army, spending fifteen months in Germany. While Jack was overseas, Vivian gave birth to their first daughter, Renee. Upon returning home, Jack dedicated himself to furthering his education by attending the College of Great Falls, while working various jobs to support his growing family. During this time, their daughter, Roxanne, was born in 1957.

In the fall of 1958, Jack entered Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. It was there that their third daughter, Lois, was born in 1960. He completed his vicarage at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chicago Heights, Illinois, before returning to the seminary for his final year, graduating in May of 1963.

His first call was to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ft Dodge, Iowa, where he served as an assistant pastor. St Paul was established in 1863 and was built after the style of the first LCMS church located in St Louis, reflecting a rich historical and architectural heritage. During their time in Fort Dodge, Jack and Vivian welcomed their son Daniel into the family.

His second call was to a dual congregation in Odebolt, Iowa. He served Trinity Lutheran Church in town and Immanuel Lutheran Church in the country, the latter was established in1880. The family treasures many fond memories of potlucks and idyllic Christmases spent at the beautiful country church. Their youngest daughter, MaryLyn, was born in nearby Ida Grove, arriving just five minutes after the Maundy Thursday service began. In his excitement, he wore the wrong color stole to the service!

From Iowa, John received a call to St John’s Lutheran Church and School in Country Club Hills, Illinois, where Vivian also taught as their kindergarten teacher, enriching the lives of young children.

Jack’s last call was to Our Savior Lutheran Church in the beautiful little town of Okanogan, Washington. It is a small church nestled amidst ponderosa pine forests and apple orchards. Jack also served as visitation pastor in Tonasket and Oroville and also as circuit counselor. They truly loved the town and their parishioners. Their time in Omak was marked with deep connections and impactful ministry, further cementing his love of commitment to ministry.

When Jack and Vivian decided to retire in 2003 after 40 years in the ministry, they moved to Litchfield Park, Arizona. They became members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where Jack continued his lifelong passion for ministry by serving as a Visitation Pastor for Trinity. Known for his compassion and deep faith, he was a comforting presence to many. In his later years, he made the final move to The Groves, a welcoming assisted living facility in Goodyear, Arizona. There his dedication to his faith shone as he became the resident Bible study leader, sharing his many years of wisdom and hope to his fellow residents.

Sharing the gospel brought him immense joy, and his influence touched many lives. John is survived by his daughter, Renee (Steve) Ramsey-Green of Chicago, IL, daughter, Roxanne (Dave) Bolte of Litchfield Park, AZ; daughter, Lois (Mark) Linnemann of Beaverton, OR; son, Daniel (Suzanne) Ramsey of North Platte, NE; daughter, MaryLyn (Tim) Miller of Vancouver, WA; foster daughter, Lois (Glenn) Morse; sister Connie (Chuck) Beer; brother Gary (Karen) Ramsey; 13 grandchildren; 1 great grand-daughter; and 56 nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his wife Vivian; his brothers Gordon (Doris) Ramsey and David (Dianne) Ramsey; his sisters Phyllis Therkelsen, Elaine (Don) Dahl, and Marianne (Charles) Bowden; as well as 16 nieces and nephews.