Ann Seely Ramsey

Ann Seely Ramsey

Iowa City

Ann Seely Ramsey passed away peacefully from Parkinson’s disease surrounded by family at home in Iowa City on Sept. 11, 2023. She left behind a family grateful for her deep and abiding love and support. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom from 4 to 7 p.m. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born Jan. 9, 1942, in Beaumont, Texas, Ann was the second child of Ralph and Louise Seely, joining older brother Dave and later, younger sister Jane (Niemeier). Ann spent her childhood in San Marino and Hillsborough, Calif. She had many adventures with her sister Jane, playing tennis, riding bikes, and sharing happy times together.

Ann attended Crystal Springs Uplands high school, Class of 1959, where her nickname was Tex. She participated in sports and was vice president of the student body. Ann was a competitive tennis player, often playing doubles with her sister Jane. She continued to play tennis throughout her life, developing lifelong friendships on the courts.

Some of her fondest memories included summer breaks as a camper and counselor at Teton Valley Ranch in Kelly, Wyo., adjacent to Grand Teton National Park. During her time there she developed a lifelong love of the Tetons, the outdoors, and horseback riding. Ann returned to her beloved Tetons later in life, staying at Lost Creek Ranch in Moose, Wyo., in summer 2008, returning again in summer 2013 to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her family.

Ann attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, graduating in 1963, with a degree in mathematics. While at college she met her husband, Richard A. Ramsey, on a blind date for a ball with cadets from the United States Air Force Academy. Richard (“Dick”) and Ann were married on Sept. 14, 1963, in Burlingame, Calif.

Early in their marriage, while Dick was stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base, Ann worked as a computer programmer for a bank in Detroit, and then as an elementary school teacher. She also worked as a teaching assistant and managed tennis clubs in Cedar Rapids later in life, where her children also played tennis and her sister Jane was a teaching pro.

Ann and Dick had four children, Dennis, Jeffrey, Laura and Michael. She was a loving and compassionate mother. Ann’s favorite pastimes were spending time with family, quilting and playing tennis. She will be remembered by her children and grandchildren as a loving playmate and companion, attending numerous activities along the way. Ann constantly showed her keen interest in all of their lives.

Ann was preceded in death by Dick and her beloved granddaughter, Madison. She is survived by her children Dennis, Jeff (Paula), Laura and Michael (Vivian); and her grandchildren, Shelby (Matt), Anna, Molly, Alex and Lewis.

Memorial contributions to support Tina Tootle’s Lab may be made to the Department of Biology Development Fund at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. On the memo line or on a note attached, please indicate “Gift in memory of Ann Ramsey” or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.