Margaret J. Ramage, 88, a lifelong Lysite, Wyoming resident passed away, Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming.
A funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Davis Funeral Home in Riverton, Wyoming. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Shoshoni, Wyoming where she will be laid to rest in the family plot with her husband, Bill. A reception will follow at the Shoshoni Senior Center.
Margaret was born in Shoshoni, Wyoming on September 26, 1935, the daughter of Dolly (Meeks) Apland of Shoshone descent and Edward (Edvard) Olsen Apland, a Norwegian immigrant. She lived a full life in the Lysite community attending the Lysite School before marrying William (Bill) Ramage in 1951. They would go
on to be married for 64 years and have six children over 23 years.
She is survived by her six children, Roberta Ramage (Bob Green), William R. Ramage, Barbara Gardner (Greg), Elliott Ramage (Scott Olheiser), James Ramage (Amy), and David Ramage (Krista). She is treasured by her nine grandchildren, Brandy Ramage, Tia and Trey Ramage, Heidi (Anthony) Grace, James (Jennifer) Gardner, Jason (Bridget) Gardner, Tyler Ramage, and Emma and Madilyn Ramage. Margaret was also blessed with eight great grandchildren, Brandy’s daughter Soraya, Tia’s son Xzavien, James Gardner’s children Megan, McLean and Madison, and Jason Gardner’s children Lainee and Landon. Most recently, she smiled and laughed with Niall, Heidi, and Anthony’s son during visits.
Margaret exuded a consistent energy of love to everyone and maintained a child’s sense of enthusiasm that most adults lose over time. She would joyously ride her boys’ BMX bikes on the roads around Lysite for exercise. She didn’t have an easy young life. They grew up quite poor and she helped raise her younger siblings. She loved babies, treasured her family, and would do anything to help them learn and experience the world. She took pride in being a great host, dressing sharp, and being a devoted wife. She was Bill’s perfect partner. They enjoyed traveling and took frequent trips to their timeshare in Sedona, AZ. Mom was always looking at ways to have more family join them on their trips.
Margaret was a 4-H teacher and leader, an ambulance volunteer, and held a life-long desire to learn, even taking computer classes. She made incredible homemade meals and desserts that her kids still try to imitate. She worked at the Lysite Store for many years. Margaret appreciated long saunters in nature and animals of all kinds. She never encountered an outdoor cat or a deer she wouldn’t feed or adopt. She created beautiful gardens, organized skating parties on the creek and reservoir, and took all the neighbor kids swimming. Later in life she explored the world farther away with Bill and her family including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Costa Rica.
Margaret and Bill were baptized within The Worldwide Church of God. They lived in the service of others and the family. Margaret was a strong woman. Many of us witnessed her overcoming temporary blindness in one eye on a trip to Lake Tahoe and a crippling arthritis attack in the late 80’s. She overcame health obstacles through her faith and taking even longer walks with the family dog Norman across the sagebrush hills. She was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a couple years before Bill died and lived many more years than predicted. She became loved by her generous caretakers. Mom was known for her infectious giggle. She told everyone she loved them. And she meant it. You could feel the truth in her eyes and her words.
Margaret was a diamond of clarity, beauty, and strength with an innate understanding of love.
Margaret was preceded in death by Bill in 2015, her parents and her five siblings
Edward Apland, Eldred Apland, Verree Bloomquist, Mary Ann Donahoo, and Donna Gureski.
The family is immensely grateful to friends and staff at Meadow Winds, Shepherd of the Valley, Central Wyoming Hospice, her church community and the love and compassion received from many.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shoshoni Senior Center or Wyoming Dementia Care in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments.