As a school bus driver, a teacher, helper of blind children, artist, caterer, upscale bartender and much more, Edward (Ed) Ramstad made his way through his 70 years of quiet, unassuming success. His greatest accomplishment was in maintaining the love and admiration of his immediate and extended family.

Edward J. Ramstad was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota June 24, 1950. He, his parents Clarence (Clink), Geraldine (Geri), and siblings then migrated to Southern California when he was five years old. Within a couple of years, Ed found himself in a more remote area known as Whitmore, California in Shasta County. Ed was educated in Shasta County and graduated from Enterprise High School and later from Sacramento State University with his art degree and teaching credential. Ed’s love of all things artistic was boundless.

In midlife, Ed met his future soulmate, Jim Glover of Eureka. They were inseparable for the next 35 years and married in 2008. Although they returned in the 1990s to Shasta, living in Anderson, most of their time together was in Eureka where they had lived since 1996. Anyone who ever visited their home instantly felt the inspiration of Ed’s talents and hard work.

Ed worked locally at two fine establishments which had been recently renovated: The Hotel Arcata and The Victorian Inn in Ferndale. He also dabbled in the grocery business, working at Food Mart and Ray’s. The ultimate accomplishment was in those six years in Redding running the deli-bakery and catering business for Sunset Marketplace.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents and brother Fred (wife Susan) of Reno. He is survived by his life-partner Jim of Eureka, as well as his brother Randall (wife Cindy) of Reno, sister Linda McCoskey (husband Ed) of Whitmore and extended family Leigh Cates (husband Matt and Chris (wife Jennifer) all of Reno and Abby Ramstad (Husband Ben) of San Francisco. He loved them all, but was particularly proud of his nephew, Brandon (wife Destiny) and their little girl, Wilder.

Ed’s last breaths were taken Saturday morning, December 12 with Jim at his bedside. His sister Linda had also been comforting him in the last few days of his life. What a difficult and painful goodbye. There are no immediate plans for a funeral or memorial service.

There is not space enough anywhere to describe the quiet accomplishments or to convey the love and admiration earned from his family and close friends. Hoping Ed rests in peace is good, but he deserves to rest in glory and comfort as we try to adjust to his absence. Ed was a treasure in our lives, and it is impossible to adequately thank him for sharing his life with all of us.

###