Willard Dean "Bill" Ramberg, 81, of Cambridge passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at his home surrounded by family.
He was born on May 17, 1934 in Harris, Minnesota, one of nine children to Frank and Anna (Wredberg) Ramberg. Bill grew up on the family farm in the Harris area where he attended the Willow Grove country school. It was in that school that he learned the English language. After his schooling, he worked for a time at the Arsenal before enlisting in the U.S. Army in July 1955. Bill was a cook and was stationed in Germany for two years. He was Honorably Discharged in June 1958.
While Bill was in the Army, he married Bonnie Johnson on May 25, 1957 in Minneapolis. Upon returning from the military, they would live in many places, but would eventually settle in the Cambridge and North Branch area, raising their five children. Bill and Bonnie, along with his brother Carl, would own and operate the Kaffe Stuga in Harris from 1959 to 1961. He and Bonnie also owned and operated the Lighthouse Restaurant in Cambridge. He worked as a machinist for several years, working at Motek Engineering, as well as in Wisconsin, Arizona and would later own Edgewood Machine with his sons. Bill also was an instructor at Pine Technical College for a time.
Bill loved his grandchildren and enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. He learned piano from his aunt Elbie. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa and was a mentor to many young people over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Jill Brockopp, brother Elven Ramberg and sister Dorothy Britz.
Bill is survived by his wife Bonnie; daughter Kim (Brent) Harcey; sons Gary (Hilda), Bob (Samantha) all of Cambridge, Chris (Noriko) of Woodbury; 13 grandchildren Erick (Sondra) Harcey, Bryce (Gina) Harcey, Mallory (Jared) Heaton, Amy (Aaron) Sundberg, Robert (Stacy) Ramberg, Nicholas, Anna and Grace Ramberg, Acacia and Shawn Ramberg, Johnathan, Jordan and Hailey Brockopp; 12 great-grandchildren Jameson, Quinton, Graham, Ashton, Stanley, Timothy, Beckett, Ruthie, Miles, Kayden, Jaxson and Bennett; brothers Carl (Pat), Roland (Mavis), Clifford (Marcia), Dean (Marlys), Darrell (Janet); sister Gloria Hansen; brother-in-law Curtis Britz; as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the New Hope Community Church. Interment will be in the North Isanti Baptist Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Cambridge American Legion. Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements were with the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.