Gerald Anthony Ramaker

Gerald Anthony Ramaker, age 79, of Belle Plaine, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 17, 2024.

An open house to honor Gerald’s life will be held on June 18th from 4-7pm at Kolden Funeral Home, 219 N. Willow St., Belle Plaine, MN.

Gerald (“Gerry”) was born on October 19, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN, to Lynam and Matilda (Wilhelm) Ramaker.  A 1962 graduate of Roosevelt High School, Gerry continued his education at the University of Minnesota pursuing a degree in engineering.  He left college early and began working in transportation design for the Hennepin County Highway Department.  In 1964 he met and married Judith Jackman, with whom he shared four children, Jeffrey, Christine, Meridith and Kathryn. After divorcing in 1983, he went back to the University of Minnesota, taking night classes to complete his Civil Engineering degree while working full-time and raising his family as a single father.  In 1986 Gerry married his late wife Barbara (“Barb”).  Gerry and Barb blended their families and supported each other in their many activities and outdoor interests. In 1996, with their children grown and out of the house, they purchased a portion of Barb’s family-owned land in Belle Plaine where they built a home, a barn, and enjoyed caring for their many horses, dogs, and each other.  After a 30 year career in highway design at Hennepin County, Gerry continued to work as a licensed engineer and consultant for private engineering firms OSM and TKDA until he retired in 2008.

Gerry had many diverse interests and enjoyed an active lifestyle through retirement.  He grew up hunting with his father and other relatives and friends, and had a love for the outdoors.  He especially loved to hunt grouse and pheasant with the many Brittany Spaniels he’s trained over the years.  He enjoyed trail riding and training horses, an interest that Barb introduced him to.  Gerry also loved to stay active with exercise and lifting weights, but his true passion was Karate.  Gerry began his Shotokon Karate training in 1969.  As a fifth degree (Godon level) black belt and one of the dojo’s most senior members, he spent the last several years teaching weekly Karate classes as well as continuing his own training. Gerry was forever grateful for the many wonderful friendships developed over 55 years of involvement in Karate.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lawrence, and his beloved wife, Barbara.  He is survived by his sister, Janet Ramaker, his four children, Jeffrey Ramaker, Christine Wallace, Meridith Brunell (Dave), and Kathryn Peace (Jason), his four step-daughters, Debbie Andrews, Shannon Bishop, Kelly Luskey (Scott)  and Kerry Smith (Libby), and the 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren that he and Barbara shared.