Mary Ramsden

Mary Catherine Ann (Merfeld) Ramsden, 80, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Corridor Crossing Place, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family.

Mary was born March 16, 1945, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of Merrick and Marie (Campbell) Merfeld. She graduated from Nashua High School and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Mason City, Iowa. She was married to William “Bill” Ramsden on December 31, 1966, the couple later divorced. Mary married Steven Brown. Steven passed away in 2019. Mary was a registered nurse specializing in mental health and chemical dependency. She served in the Navy reserves from 1984 – 2000 before her honorable discharge as Lt. Commander, Navy Nurse Corps.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Ann (John) Bodensteiner and Miriam (Christopher) Selusi; grandchildren, Alicia Ramsden, Jessica Ramsden, and Ricardo Prieto Vargas; great-grandchildren, Avery Ramsden, Adrian Ramsden, and Sofia Prieto Vargas; great-great-granddaughter, Arayah Ramsden; special niece, Joy Labath; brother, Joe (Judy) Merfeld; niece, Tracy (Shawn) Mikles; and nephews, Steve (Kendra) Merfeld and Andy (Lisa) Merfeld.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merrick and Marie Merfeld; husband, Steven Brown; and her aunt and uncle, Annebell and Bernard Puhl.

The family would like to thank the staff at Corridor Crossing Place, Hospice of Mercy, and the Mercy Geriatric team.