JOAN RAMSEY Joan Lillian Zschach Ramsey passed from her earthly life peacefully in Vina, California, on March 17, 2021, at the age of 88. Since the time she married Robert J. Ramsey, Jr., on April 9, 1954, she had lived in the same farmhouse, a span of over 65 years, where she and Bob raised their five children. She would first and foremost want to be remembered for her strong faith in and love of Jesus Christ. Joan was born to Warren and Lillian Zschach in Chicago, Illinois, July 24, 1932 and joined her brother Warren, Jr. She would complete the family and grew up among a strong immigrant German extended family, with a profession of baking. She would often comment on the wonderful German pastries, breads, and other baked goods of her grandparents and father, of which she made her best efforts to replicate. Her grandfather was the head baker for Kaiser Wilhelm, II, at Heidelberg Castle. Joan lived in Chicago until she was 12 before traveling west with her family to Seattle, Washington. She completed high school there, and a year at Linfield college in Oregon, before moving to Oakland, California, where she worked at East Bay Credit as a secretary. It was during this time that she met her future husband, and after just two months, they married, and she moved to her new and long life in Vina as a farm wife and mother. During the early years of raising her children she also attended Chico State, and all but completed a degree in English. Joan bought a small flock of sheep in her early years in Vina, and it expanded at times over the years. These wooly creatures were more her pets than anything else for the next 60 years on the farm. She also grew to appreciate her country living, after her childhood years as a city girl, and eventually had a passion for gardening and birds. Until her death, she cherished her gardens and the birds that would visit outside her windows of her home, as well as her pet birds she kept for many years inside. Joan recently remarked that she had always had a dog of some breed or another from the time she was born until her passing. After her children were grown, Joan began traveling. She was thrilled to visit Jerusalem, Russia, England, parts of Europe, New Zealand, and to Chicago to visit relatives. Joan was intrigued with the small details of her travels and had many stories to describe the history and the people she met. Joan was married to Robert until his passing on November 8, 2016. A long union of hard work and living as a team sustained her and Bob for 62 years. She was certainly a tenacious woman, commonly being underestimated by others. Joan will be remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking skills. There was never a store-bought cake for the multitude of birthday celebrations for her husband and children. Among her many experiences of her years in Vina, she especially treasured the outdoors and was always looking forward to the next hike to explore the local flora and fauna. Joan was a member of Christ Community Church of Vina and the Vina Community Club. She taught cooking classes to the local 4-H club members over the years and was an excellent pianist in her younger years. As the years passed, she welcomed 14 grandchildren into her life and eventually 10 great-grandchildren. She cherished each one and delighted in their visits to the farm. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Robert, her parents, her brother, and her grandson Craig Lohse who went to heaven in 2009 at the age of 19. Family members include her children, Ann Lohse (John), Claire Hait (Les), Brian Ramsey (Kaja), Ellen Stephens (Scott), Mary Bundy (Lance), and their half-brother Robert Ramsey, III, (LeAnn), 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 4 nephews and one niece. She is now at peace with the eternal love of God and all those who have gone before her. She opened her heart to Jesus many years ago, and now basks in pure and everlasting joy. The pain from her cancer is gone. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 3, 2021 3:00 p.m., at Christ Community Church of Vina, California. All are welcome to attend this remembrance of Joan's long and rich life. Joan's final resting place will be next to her beloved husband, Robert, at the Vina Cemetery. View obituary and send condolences online at NewtonBracewell.com.

Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 27, 2021.