The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Steve was born on April 16, 1949, to Wesley and Dorothy Ramsden in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the youngest of three sons, which included Melvin and Wayne. After high school, Steve served in the United States Army in the Vietnam War as a radio operator. Steve married Peggy (Hogan) Ramsden in 1975 and graduated from Iowa State University. He spent most of his career as a microbiologist for GPC in Muscatine, Iowa, earning them multiple patents over the years. Peggy preceded Steve in death in 1983, and Steve showed his true talent as an amazing father to their two children, Kate, and Jacob, who have felt his unconditional love and support all throughout their lives.
Steve was an intelligent, witty, artistic, supportive, and loving person who had a diverse set of interests including eagle watching and antiquing with Sue, bushwhacking through the woods, Harley Davidson motorcycles, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cubs, playing with his grandson Zoren (Kate’s son), and enjoying a good episode of Jeopardy. Later in life, Steve reconnected with his daughter Alison Keller, who had been adopted out, and the reunion brought the additional joy of two grandsons, Bjorn and Liam. Steve’s visits with them took him to the remote Alaskan outback for the adventure of a lifetime. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be held for Steve at a later date.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the amazing team at St. Croix Hospice who helped keep Steve comfortable in his final days.
