James Ramstead, 80

Poulsbo resident James “Jim” Ramstead died Sept. 23, 2004 in Seattle. He was 80.

Ramstead was born Nov. 6, 1923 in Strandquist, Minn.

The family soon moved to homestead in Pt. Agassiz, Alaska where he started school in a one-room schoolhouse.

The family later moved to Marrowstone Island and Ramstead graduated from Chimacum High School in 1940.

From 1942 to 1946, he served in the United States Navy as a motor machinists mate, first class. He was a carpenter for more than 50 years, retiring in 1997. He founded The Building Company in 1977.

He married Beverly Coleman in 1947.

The family spent time in Seattle and San Diego, Calif. before moving to Poulsbo in 1967.

Ramstead loved family get-togethers, music and enjoyed singing in church choirs and quartets at Clairemont Lutheran (San Diego) and First Lutheran (Poulsbo). He was also a member of the Olympic Barbershop Chorus. He was a member of the Sons of Norway Lodge in Poulsbo and had recently joined the Norwegian Male Chorus. Ramstead is survived by his wife Beverly Ramstead of Poulsbo; son Jim (Sande) of Indianola; daughters Pat (Landis) Smaaladen and Susan both of Bellevue and Julie of Mercer Island; sisters Dolores Lund of Mill Creek and Marie Zobrist of Seattle; brothers Arne and John of Seattle, Glenn of Kingston and Ed of Mt. Baldy, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

His brother Milton preceded him in death.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. He will be buried with full military honors. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Children’s Memorial Hospital (4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105) or the charity of choice.