Gary Gene Ramaker

Gary Gene Ramaker, 76, of Keokuk, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Gary was born on June 8, 1948, in Cresco, Iowa, the son of Robert and Audrey (Miller) Ramaker. He graduated from Keokuk Senior High in 1966, received his associate’s degree from Southeastern Community College in 1969, and went on to attend Truman State University. On June 29, 1974, he was united in marriage to Marsha Evalyn Hellenthal in Fort Madison, Iowa. She survives.

Gary held several occupations throughout his working career, working as an iron worker, for Hickey Construction, McCredie Dodge, and later for the Keokuk Police Department for thirty-one years, where he was Policeman of the Year in 1980 and retired as Deputy Chief. In his younger years, Gary could be found racing quarter horses all over the Midwest and drag racing cars at Lee County Dragway. He wrestled in high school and was on the 1965 district champions football team. As he grew older, Gary became an active member of the Keokuk community, joining First Lutheran Church, coaching for the YMCA, writing grants for the city, and serving on the Hickory Grove Cemetery Board, where he attended school until the 6th grade. His pleasures in life were sports, hot rods, country music, Elvis and John Wayne. Most of all, Gary will always be remembered for being a strong, fearless, kind and social man with a wonderful sense of humor. His family will remember his love for them and all the times he attended his sons’ sporting events.

Gary is survived by his wife Marsha Ramaker of Keokuk; two sons: Andrew “Drew” (Michelle) Ramaker of Marengo, Illinois, and Robert “Rob” (Marcie) Ramaker of Harlingen, Texas; five grandchildren: Ethan Westermeyer, Bryce Ramaker, Dakota Ramaker, Evie Ramaker and Robert Ramaker; three half-siblings: Carol (Eric) Andersen, Ann (Don) Mork and Richard Jones; his step-mother Rita Jones of Lime Springs, Iowa; his sister-in-law Deanna Ramaker of Grandbury, Texas; his uncle, Bobby Miller of Gillette, Wyoming, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gary is preceded in death by his biological father Eugene Jones, his parents Robert and Audrey Ramaker and his brother Robert “Bobby” Ramaker.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Printy Funeral Home, 917 Blondeau Street, Keokuk, Iowa, with burial to follow at Hickory Grove in rural Keokuk. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 2 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Hickory Grove Cemetery Association or City of Christmas.