Esther Eileen Ramsay

Esther Eileen (Batzer) Ramsay died peacefully at home on June 12, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born on November 27, 1936 to William and Lenore Batzer in Cadillac Michigan, where she graduated high school in 1955. Esther married Lawrence “Larry” Ramsay on October 10, 1981. From this union, Larry inherited six children and Esther two. From there, the family multiplied immensely, with Esther reigning as matriarch. Esther worked at Osteopathic Hospital, and then Munson Hospital for over 20 years. She enjoyed taking car rides with Larry, visiting her children and grandchildren, and hosting family picnics. She especially loved trips to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, adding unique pieces to her villages and nativity scenes. Larry built many dollhouses for her, and she loved decorating and furnishing them. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren delighted in seeing her collections, which took up a whole section of their home! Family was so important to Esther. She spent nearly every weekend attending a birthday party, graduation, picnic, baby shower or school event. She is survived by daughters; Charlene Soper, Joanne Fouch, Jan Wagner and Joni (Bruce) Smith and step-sons John and Gordon Ramsay. Also surviving are 27 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Every one of them believes they are the favorite! Esther was proceeded in death by her parents, William and Lenore, brothers, Leo, Doug, Richard, Norman, Daniel, and William Batzer. Sons, Kevin McQueer and George McQueer, sons-in-law, Douglas Fouch and Kenneth Soper, granddaughter Marsha, great-grandson Hayden, great-great grandson Sawyer, and great-great-granddaughter Kadence. A Memorial Service honoring Esther will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Burial of her cremated remains will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Esther’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Esther Eileen Ramsay

November 27, 1936 - June 12, 2023