REFUGIO VALDEZ RAMIREZ

MUSCATINE, Iowa – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Refugio Ramirez Valdez, 63, who left us on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A Funeral Mass in his honor will occur at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Ss. Mary Mathias Catholic Church, officiated by The Reverend Isaac Doucette. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery. His family has chosen the following beloved individuals to serve as pallbearers: Ismael Ramirez, Fernando Ramirez Sr., Fernando Ramirez Jr., Jose Mendoza, Manuel Mendoza, Jacob Dahnke, Fred Gonzalez, and Shay Helm.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on the same day at Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. In this difficult time, the family appreciates any memorial contributions that can be made in the care of Ana Gonzalez. You can extend your condolences online at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Refugio, affectionately known as Cuco, was born on July 3, 1961, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. However, his heart always belonged to Sahuayo, Michoacan, where he grew up and became a man loved by all. He was the cherished son of Refugio Ramirez Munoz Sr. and Teresa Valdez Origuela. Refugio radiated joy as he embraced the beauty of life, celebrating his remarkable 43-year marriage to Rosalia Barrera, whom he married on January 30, 1982.

A member of Ss. Mary Mathias Catholic Church, Refugio was known for his passion for soccer and his relentless support of his team, Las Chivas de Guadalajara. He had a unique love for watching and listening to spine-chilling ghost stories. Above all, his greatest joy came from spending precious moments with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Refugio leaves behind his loving wife, Rosalia Barrera de Ramirez; his cherished children, Ana Gonzalez and her husband Fred, Ismael Ramirez and his wife Amanda, Fatima Helm and her husband Shay, and Karina Dahnke and her husband Jacob; his precious grandchildren, Tessa, Alexa, Dalia, and Joshua Ramirez; Addelyn, Brenya, and Nicholas Helm; Maximiliano and Derek Dahnke; Pilar, Juan, and Silvana Gonzalez. He was also a proud first-time great-grandfather to Mateo Torres, the son of Alexa Ramirez and Alex Torres.

Refugio is survived by his devoted parents, Refugio Sr. and Teresa, and his caring siblings, Leticia, Marta, Maria de Los Angeles, Socorro, Leonor, Jaime, and Fernando. He was preceded in death by his beloved brothers Ismael, Javier, and Felipe; his maternal grandparents Nicolas and Rosa; paternal grandparents Lugarda and Margarito; and his brother-in-law Felipe Bejar.

Refugio’s warm spirit and loving nature will be deeply missed by all who knew him.