Edward William Ramsell

Edward William Ramsell, 84, of Des Moines, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Edward was born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 28, 1940, to Richard and Gwendolyn (Hammond) Ramsell. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, with bachelor's degrees in both math and art and a master’s degree in school administration.

Ed worked as an art and math teacher as well as a wood and metal shop teacher. He was a principal for the Iowa school system and worked in the insurance business for Bankers Trust, Principal Financial, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield for many years. He wrote a regular column and irregular contributions for the insurance industry magazines. He also wrote two science fiction/fantasy novels. Ed also designed and built various items of custom astronomy equipment and some of those have appeared in astronomy periodicals. He was a member and regular presenter at the Des Moines Astronomical Society for many years.

Ed is survived by his sons, Eric Ramsell, Greg Ramsell, Mychael Gorham, and Dylan T. Gorham (Dominique); his daughters, Karen Ramsell and Julie Gorham (Jeff); grandchildren, Alexander Christopher Ramsell and Brett Edward Gorham; and great-grandchild, Faith Marie Gorham; brothers, Tom Ramsell (Nancy) and Dick Ramsell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Gwendolyn (Hammond) Ramsell.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at the Earlham Cemetery, 165 NE Birch Ave., Earlham, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

The family of Ed Ramsell wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Community Care Center in Stuart, Iowa and Unity Point Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa for their caring and sympathetic care.