Kathryn (Kay) Ramaekers, the daughter of Edward and Mary Bernadette (Arts) Holder, was born November 27, 1937, in Carroll, and passed from this life March 16, 2020, at Mercy One Des Moines Medical Center at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 19 days.
Kay grew up in Carroll and was a member of the first graduating class from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1955. She then attended AIB Business College in Des Moines. Kay Holder met Walter (Ozzie) Ramaekers at the Starline Ballroom in Carroll and they were married Dec. 22, 1956, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Three children were born to this union. Kay was a stay at home mom and raised her family.
In 1973, the family moved to Jefferson where Kay was a business partner with Ozzie in a dry-cleaning business. Kay did sewing and alterations and ran her own drapery and window covering business, Kay’s Kustoms. Kay retired in 2000.
She enjoyed camping, traveling, playing bridge and gardening. For many years, Kay and Ozzie spent weekends camping at Cutty’s Camp Grounds near Des Moines where she loved going shopping and they would eat out at various places. They also spent several winters in Texas.
Kay is survived by her loving husband Ozzie; three children and their spouses, Laura and Boyd Knosp of Iowa City, Joseph and Kim Ramaekers of Rolfe and Robert and Karen Ramaekers of Urbandale; six granddaughters and five grandsons; and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Donald and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Kay’s life is planned to be held at a later day. The family is assisted by Brown Funeral Home of Jefferson, 515-386-4125.
