This, was a good man. A very good man.

We are profoundly sad to announce the passing of Gale Ramberg.

He lost a fight with a ladder. He was forbidden to use the ladder, but if you knew Gale… you know. There was apparently a job that needed to be done, so of course it needed to be done ‘now’.

Webster had it wrong. I’m sure they have a fine definition of the word “dad”, but it’s wrong.

The true definition of the word should be “Gale Ramberg”.

Gale was born on August 24, 1942, and left us on September 12, 2024.

He attended Des Moines Technical High School, and GrandView College where he met Jan, his wife for 63 years.

Gale could actually do anything.

He was a standout basketball player at Tech, and spent many years after that patrolling the outfield for multiple softball teams (while using a glove that could be carried in his back pocket).

Gale was a skilled pressman and spent most of his career at Artcraft Printing. Early in his career he was caught up in a company layoff due to being the most recent hire. He took his family camping for the weekend and came home to four different job offers.

He was very, very good at his job, however on occasion his boss would tell people that “there’s the right way, the wrong way, and Gale’s way. And you damn well better do it Gale’s way.”

Gale loved to Square Dance, and quickly added Calling to his list of advanced skills. He had a beautiful singing voice, had dancers who followed him all over the state, and was elected to the Iowa Square Dancers Hall of Fame

As much as he loved dancing and calling, it was all put on hold when his kids were old enough to play sports. During those years, he stopped so he could attend all their games and meets. He only missed one over all those seasons.

Need someone to fix frozen pipes? Gale could do it. Plan and build a huge extension on your house? Gale could do it. Fix a car? Build heavy-duty shelves? Gale could do all of it, and everything else too.

Gale was also a very skilled woodworker. (Are you sensing a trend here?) He’s created clocks, bookcases, tables, buffet storage units, and many other beautiful pieces of furniture. He may have cut off the tips of a finger on a few occasions, but the finished products were extraordinary.

He loved playing board and card games. He also loved word games, but was relegated to doing crossword puzzles on his own because his family gave up trying to beat him decades ago.

In addition to being skilled at just about everything, he was also gracious with his time, especially if you needed help with something. Anything. Although you had to be ready when you asked him to help with something, because to him, “someday when you have time” meant “I must do this immediately”.

Gale’s Way meant that if something needed to be done, you should get it done now, and you should do it the right way.

He was admired, respected and liked by everyone, and he gave his children a wonderful childhood. They have lost count of the number of people who have mentioned how important our family was to their own growing up years.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents, Blanche and Leonard Ramberg, and his sister Helen.

He is survived by Jan, his wife of 63 years, children Dave (Cindy), Gail (a/k/a Bitsy), and Chuck (Jackie), 3 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Per his wishes, there will not be a funeral. His ashes will be scattered outside in some of his favorite places.

A visitation will be held at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N Ankeny Blvd) on Monday, December 2nd from 10:00 – 12:00.

Gale always thought that if someone needed help and you could do it, you should. In lieu of flowers, he would have loved donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital or any homeless shelter of your choosing.

We were all very, very lucky to have him in our lives, and will miss him a great deal.