Orren left & John "Jack" Ramsey on right
Orren married Fern Jensen on February 23, 1938.
Fern died October 9, 2000 and
was the daughter of Dessa Kusel & Matt Jensen.
Orren & Fern have two daughters; Noreen (Ramsey) Rutherford and Rebecca (Ramsey) Macke.
Both daughters graduated from Manning High School.
|
Manning Monitor article------ 1944
Orren Ramsey in California Camp Roberts, Calif.
When I was home I heard a lot of people that came back from here tell what a good state
this was, but from what I've seen of it, I prefer the good old state of Iowa! any day.
The days are so hot you can hardly stand it, and the nights are so cool you have a hard
time keeping warm. Manning Monitor articles ------ 1945
Pfc. Orren Ramsey Wounded March 22, 1945 Mrs. Fern Ramsey has received the Purple Heart Awarded to her husband by the government. |
Visitation 10:00
AM, Tuesday, June 13, 2017 United Methodist Church, Manning
Funeral Service 11:00 AM, Tuesday,
June 13, 2017 United Methodist Church, Manning
Interment with Military Honors Tuesday,
June 13, 2017 Manning Cemetery
Reverend Vicki Fisher, Officiating
Music "He Touched Me" "Just As I Am" "How Great Thou Art"
JoAnn Karsten and Georgia Lohrmann, Vocalists
JoAnn Karsten, Accompanist
Casket Bearers: Kerry Rutherford, Kevin
Rutherford, Kyle Rutherford, Christopher Shaw, Brendan Rutherford, Justin Rutherford, Tami Anderson, Tina Madsen
Orren Kenneth, son of Charles and Bessie (Johnson) Ramsey, was born March 12, 1919, in Manning, Iowa. He grew up on a farm west of Manning until 1936 when the family moved into town. He completed the ninth grade in Manning Schools. He later completed his GED.
Orren was united in marriage with Fern Marie Jensen on February 23, 1938 at the Presbyterian parsonage in Carroll. They made their home in Manning. He entered the United States Army Air Corps on March 22, 1944. After basic training, he boarded the Queen Mary transport ship for France with 20,000 other men. He left behind his wife and young daughter. Orren started in the 26th Infantry Division in Europe where he was wounded twice. He then became part of a ground crew for the 9th Army Air Corps. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge against the last major German offensive of World War II. He completed his service guarding German prisoners of war in northern Europe. Orren attained the rank of Corporal and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Medal. After his honorable discharge on February 20, 1946, he returned to Manning and another daughter was born.
Orren began trucking with his father and brothers and worked for the Manning Creamery Company as long as he was able. Then in 1969 he began working for the City of Manning on the street crew and digging graves. He retired in 1984 and he and Fern continued to live in Manning. During retirement Orren thoroughly enjoyed driving school bus.
Orren was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion (Past Commander) and Manning Volunteer Fire Department.
Fern died in 2000 and Orren moved to the Terrace Apartments. He walked all over town taking pleasure in visiting with many of his friends. In July 2016 he became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. Orren died there peacefully early June 9, 2017, at the age of 98 years, 2 months, and 27 days.
Preceding Orren in death are his wife; parents; brothers Edward Ramsey (Delores), Ralph Ramsey, Mayburn Ramsey (Phyllis), Jack Ramsey (Edna); and sisters Nancy Ramsey, in infancy, Juanita Boeck (Hugo), Edna Peters (Orla), Thelma Hodne (Arlo), Bernice Laverty (Charles), and Mary Ramsey.
He is survived by his two daughters Noreen Kay Rutherford (Ray) of Manilla and Rebecca Sue Macke (Gary) of Audubon; 5 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; sister in law Mildred Ramsey of Carroll; other relatives and many, many friends.