Jennie Mae (Sandstrom) Ramstad, a former resident of Hoquiam, passed away two days shy of her 91st birthday on Feb. 12, 2020 in Surprise, Arizona.
Jennie was born Feb. 14, 1929, to Reuben and Sigrid Sandstrom in Hoquiam. She attended Lincoln grade school and Hoquiam Junior High, graduating from Hoquiam High School in 1947.
While raising her children, she was active in, and former president of, Emerson grade school PTA, the YMCA Ladies Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, Saron Lutheran church, Guess Guessers and PEO. Later in life, she was active in Meals on Wheels, The Red Hat Society and many activities at her church.
Jennie will be remembered for her positivity, strength, poise, sense of humor and active lifestyle. Never one to sit idle, she was always up for an adventure and getting together with friends. She loved to travel and visited Hawaii numerous times as well as many countries throughout Europe. After her husband’s retirement from The Grays Harbor Shoe Store, they traveled throughout the U.S. in their motorhome.
In 1994, they settled in Surprise, Arizona, returning to the Harbor yearly to enjoy what she loved most, visiting family and longtime friends, the beach and fresh seafood. Jennie formed many lasting friendships in her 26 years in Surprise. Friday nights were spent with the “ladies dinner group” trying a new restaurant or going to happy hour. They never missed getting together for lunch to celebrate a birthday. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her two daughters; Shari Stewart (Ed) of Des Moines, Washington, Susan Holderman (Tim) of Sun City West, Arizona, two sons; Mark Ramstad (Debbie) of Tumwater and Jeff Ramstad (Correne) of Vancouver, B.C. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Ed Ramstad in 2002 and two sons Gary Cross in 2015 and Bob Cross in 2016. She will be lovingly remembered by her family, including 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and many friends.
At Jennie’s request there will be no service. There will be a family celebration at a later date.
Remembrances can be made to her church, American Lutheran Church of Sun City, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373
