"Bud was a great man and I envied him on many levels. He was honest, hard working, easy going, and funny. I was not only a friend but did business with him. He knew fish and the river like no other. His fresh fish and smoked fish was always tops, as I knew it would be with Bud. I cherish the times he would come in my shop and we would shoot the breeze. Sharing fish stories and gossip. He is missed and I am sad to see I will never get to share time with him again. Bye Bud ! See you on the banks of heaven for a bit of fishing someday."
In loving memory of
Henry Ramer
May 7, 1937 - August 8, 2006
Henry "Bud" Ramer, 69, of Stockton, died Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at his home. Bud was born May 7, 1937 to Alice Rymarkiewicz in Winona, MN. He was in the National Guard and served two years in the Army. Bud married Shirley Haedtke on June 30, 1962 in Winona. He received a commendation ribbon for Bravery and outstanding service during the 1965 flood. He handled dynamite to blast ice dams. In 1982, he received a letter from the sheriff's department, thanking him for his contributions and effort for rescue of drowning victims. Bud has had articles written about him in several books and many articles in the Winona Daily News. He gave many lectures in area schools and showed videos on commercial fishing. Bud was labeled Fish Handler to the Stars. He was the live fish handler and caught the 50lb catfish they used in the movie Grumpier Old Men. He became good friends with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon. Bud had his picture taken with them and with Sophia Loren. Bud was a commercial fisherman most of his life. He worked closely with the DNR. When Jacque Cousteau was in Winona filming on the Mississippi, his crew stopped at Ramer Fish Market. They wanted to film how Bud caught fish under the ice. He ran Ramer Fish Market for over 30 years. He has been many places, seen many things, and has many accomplishments.
Bud is survived by his wife, Shirley of Winona, MN; one son, Keith Budnick of Reeds Landing, MN; one daughter, Kelly (Donald) Kryzer of Ettric, WI; and two grandchildren, Joshua Rice and Kayla Jo Budnick. He is preceded in death by his parents.
The memorial service for Bud will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service - Hansen Tribute Center in Goodview, MN with Funeral Celebrant John Wagenaar officiating. Friends may call on Friday, August 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Please feel free to share a memory with Bud's family or sign his on-line guestbook at hofffuneral.com
Tributes
"We loved Bud! We had the great opportunity to work with him in the 1990s after publication of our book, Fishing for Buffalo. We invited Bud to sell carp at several events, including the Coon Rapids Carp Fest. Bud was always in good humor, always loved to laugh, and was a great spokesman for carp. He had the biggest hands of any man we've ever met--big as hams!--and he also had a big heart. You could tell he was a softy, even though he worked in a type of labor-intensive business that really doesn't exist anymore. He really was the last of his kind, and we both feel it was our honor to have had the opportunity to know him. We are so sorry for your loss."
"While growing up on Chatfield Street I was fortunate to experience fishing on the Mississippi with Bud for the Hot Fish Shop. Was quite young at the time but remember the many trips to Lamperts Ponds, cleaning box cars for feeding the fish, eating at twin bluffs, winter fishing on the Mississippi. Fond memories from the experiences I had with Bud as a young boy growing up in the East End.. The River won't be the same with out Bud working it. My condolences to Bud's family."
"Bud was one of a kind and will be sorley missed by all that new him. As a friend and customer you always felt better after talking with him."
"Bud Ramer was about the most fun and interesting person I have ever worked for in my life. We always had an interesting day at the shop with trying to keep the catfish alive for the Grumpier Old Men movie to cleaning the snapping turtles every Saturday. Bud had a very big heart, he would do anything for anyone. He was known for giving people chances when they had no chances left. He knew so much about that river the DNR would always call Bud and ask him for advice he always laughed after they called and said they went to school for this and still can't figure it out. Bud also loved little kids. I remember when my son went into Ramers for the first time Bud just had to show him how the model train at the store worked, my son was amazed. I remember the last time I talked with Bud after he bought his house in Stockton. He was so proud that he could do laundry and keep the place clean all by himself and I remember him getting the giggles after he told me this. Oh Bud, I will miss you so much, your smile and your personality. We shared so many fun memories at the shop that I will never forget. God Bless you Bud and may you finally rest in peace and have no more worries."
"Bud Ramer was about the most fun and interesting person I have ever worked for in my life. We always had an interesting day at the shop with trying to keep the catfish alive for the Grumpier Old Men movie to cleaning the snapping turtles every Saturday. Bud had a very big heart, he would do anything for anyone. He was known for giving people chances when they had no chances left. He knew so much about that river the DNR would always call Bud and ask him for advice he always laughed after they called and said they went to school for this and still can't figure it out. Bud also loved little kids. I remember when my son went into Ramers for the first time Bud just had to show him how the model train at the store worked, my son was amazed. I remember the last time I talked with Bud after he bought his house in Stockton. He was so proud that he could do laundry and keep the place clean all by himself and I remember him getting the giggles after he told me this. Oh Bud, I will miss you so much, your smile and your personality. We shared so many fun memories at the shop that I will never forget. God Bless you Bud and may you finally rest in peace and have no more worries."
"when I was younger,bud was my buddy.early in life our familys had a good relationship,times change,relationships change,but bud and I never lost touch.it maybe wasn't as often but bud and I still talked,I'd stop at the fish market occasionally and visit with Buddy and we'ed get on the old days when we pulled nets,setline,trap turtles etc.and he would laugh,as I did how tough it was compared to how he was doing it now these days.he was always proud to give me a tour of his accomplishments he had made with his fish market and I would always aggree that he had come a long way from the ole epstien,lambert days.Buddy and I always loved each other,we both knew that in our hearts even though later in life we could not express it as much as we could to each other but when we visited at times I could see that sparkle in his eye telling me he was glad to see me as I hoped and knew he could see the sparkle in my eye as I visited with him.he was a great guy and I will be sorry not to be able to visit him again and talk of the tough times we had trying to make the fishing business work for him successfully.but as you all know,he made it work.my best to his family and I love to"Buddy" ,my bud, lenny"