Iva Jyme Bretz Tabler Ramsey
February 1, 1933 - June 7, 2019

Yes, sweet mother, we are in sorrow of the life on this earth you have left; yet, we are in joyous celebration of the eternal life you have entered. But how can we tell your story? What can we say that has meaning to your family today? What is important for those in two, or twenty, or two hundred years to know? You did have a full life. You loved and were loved. But most importantly it is that you helped save souls.

While you were born and lived in many a small town, you were never really a country girl. As a child, your dad vacationed you in open sky sleeping bags as you explored central and North West states and national parks. While memorable, these were not your most fun experiences. Yet, during these times you cultivated a desire for nature, an understanding of beauty, and a sense of a bigger space, and a knowledge of a deeper spirit.

As a young wife and mother you tolerated the family camping experiences that too often ended in howling winds and storms. The storm stories may fade but our memory of your physical strength and poetic grace on a slalom ski and a calm lake will forever be recalled. You were as elegant and confident on frozen water too. While we little ones squealed and sped around the ice rink, you would perform a figure eight, waltz jump, or a slow spin. We would grow tired but you continued in silent beauty.

You grew three children inside you yet had love abundant to adopt another into your family. We kids frolicked and adventured and fought and played. We threw balls on the roof, shrieked with our friends, banged on drums, and turned radios up loud. We suffered through puppy loves and teenage years. You remained patient, and wise, and guided us through turbulent as well as jubilant times.

Even in the Deep South you had blacks ride in the front seat. You allowed your children to drink from the "colored only" water fountains to teach us that whatever the label, God made water and people equally the same. Although you were small, you towered over the gruesome men who tormented you for your compassionate acts.

For more than a decade you encouraged your husband and kids as we became cowboys, cowgirls, horse trainers, hay haulers, and drivers of tractors. You watched us train and care for horses and cows without ever telling us how fearful you were of the beasts. Your capacity and calmness allowed us to grow in strength and knowledge and even become local champions.

You fretted and prospered and declined and arose as your husband, our father, bought and fought and grew a small shop into a multi-generational organization. You were his loving partner in life and earned the role of Vice-President in business. You shared the stresses and successes while always holding fast to your dependence upon and praise for Christ.

Mother, you have had a full life and one that also knew sorrow. We saw you care for your step mother, step father, mother in-law, mother, father, and first husband as they passed onto the Lord before you. We enjoyed watching you develop into an independent woman of the '90s. We were gladdened as you re-met a high school classmate with whom you eventually joined in a second marriage. We were saddened as after twelve years together, you with his daughter and grandson cared for him during his final days.

You painted, sculpted, fired slip into glass. You were relaxed, friendly, sophisticated, modern, calm and seemingly to fit in regardless of the situation. Your friendship and wisdom gained you many friends. Your hospitality allowed many late night family and friend sessions which helped bind us together. You suffered and succeeded and loved and were loved. You ran the race and we know you have won.

So in two, or twenty, or two hundred years what should people know? It is that you, sweet mother, have a story that spans the ages. That your story is about God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Your story is about faith, and love. Your story is about enduring the pain and sensing the joy. Your story is about grace and forgiveness of sin. Your story is about reaching heaven of which you are in.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation to Catholic Charities of Eastern OK
Donations may be made by check via mail:

Catholic Charities of Eastern OK
Memory of Jyme Bretz Tabler Ramsey
PO Box 580460
Tulsa, OK 74158

Or via the Catholic Charities website: < https://cceok.org >


A visitation will be held at Moore Southlawn Chapel the afternoon of Thursday June 13th from 3-5pm. A rosary service will be held following the visitation at Christ the King Church beginning at 6pm Thursday June 13th. The funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Church Friday June 14th at 9am.