Gary and Judy Ramsower’s Legacy of Building and Teaching

Gary and Judy Ramsower often say that Mt. Pleasant has been good to them. Their lives are woven into the town’s fabric through Gary’s construction/roofing and the thousands of students who learned life skills in Judy’s classroom. When revising their family trust, they saw a way to ensure their love for Mt. Pleasant would endure. They turned to the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and joined the Denison Legacy Society, which recognizes individuals and couples who name the Foundation as a beneficiary of any planned gift.

The Ramsowers met at Central Michigan University in 1965, married two years later, and had two daughters. Early on, they struggled to find affordable housing, an experience that later shaped their giving priorities. Gary spent a decade teaching biology at Chippewa Hills High School and spent summers building homes with colleagues, honing the skills that led to his own construction business. Over the next 45 years, Gary Ramsower Builders left its mark on countless Mt. Pleasant homes and businesses. Judy taught home economics at West Middle School for 31 years, giving more than 12,000 students practical skills in cooking, sewing, and childcare. Together, the couple bought, rehabilitated, and rented more than 20 properties, taking pride in providing well‑built, clean, and affordable homes for families in need.

While updating their trust, the Ramsowers realized they could do more. Conversations with Foundation staff introduced them to planned giving options, such as bequests and charitable trusts, which allow donors to achieve philanthropic goals while supporting cherished causes. A planned gift creates or adds to an existing endowed fund whose earnings provide grants year after year, advancing the Foundation’s mission of enhancing life “now and for generations to come.” The Ramsowers chose to direct their legacy gift toward food security, affordable housing, mental health issues, and violence and sexual assault support, reflecting their own experiences and values. By endowing their gift, they ensure future generations will benefit from the support they need.

The Denison Legacy Society was created to honor Rollie and Olga Denison and encourages others to follow their example by making planned gifts. Members are thanked publicly and invited to special events. Gary and Judy see their membership as a natural continuation of the lives they have led. “Mt. Pleasant has been really good to us, and it is our honor to give back,” Gary said. By investing in the community’s needs today and tomorrow, they are ensuring that the town they helped build - both physically and figuratively - continues to thrive. Their story reinforces the Foundation’s mission and invites others to consider how planned giving can create “ripples of hope and inspiration” for generations to come.