Ravlin grew up in Monoma, located in northeast Iowa, on the farm that her great-great grandfather, James Tapper, homesteaded in the 1800s. She was involved in volunteer work at an early age as a trumpet teacher to younger students at Monoma High School where she graduated in 1957 and later volunteering at a burn unit and as a disc jockey while studying at Wartburg College and later at the University of Iowa where she earned a degree in education.
“The women were not allowed to work outside on the farm,” said Ravlin, whose family were wealthy farmers. “Education and music were everything to us, but nothing external.”
Ravlin married and taught school in Iowa and Minnesota, where her son, Greg, was born, but accepted a position in the Mad River School District when a job transfer brought the family to Dayton. She taught 11 years before deciding to substitute teach so she could have more time to raise her sons, Greg and Jeff.
Greg Ravlin graduated from Centerville High School and married fellow graduate, Trish Ludwig. The couple live in Washington Twp. with their three children, twins, Jacquelyn and Nicole, and Thomas. Greg Ravlin owns Ravlin Roofing and Siding, which is located in Washington Twp.
Jeff Ravlin also graduated from CHS and is married to the former Jennie Steger. The couple have three children, Madeline and twins, Olivia and Natalie. In 1981, while continuing substitute teaching, Ravlin began her real estate career. She is currently an agent in the Centerville Irongate Inc. Realtors office, but also maintains a license in Florida.
“I’ve always liked to volunteer a lot,” said Ravlin, who, during the years, has been a member of the JC’s Women’s Club, the Junior League, the Homebuilder’s Women’s Club, a charter member of the TWIG 16 Auxiliary Group, and is active in women’s groups, Bible studies, and global mission groups at Epiphany Lutheran Church. “If I had never had to work, I probably would have done volunteering and social projects. My passion since the early 1980s has been working with the GreeneBucs chapter of Ambucs. Our mission is granting independence to people with disabilities.”
The group provides scholarships to therapists and therapeutic Amtrykes and ramps to people with disabilities. Ravlin was already involved with the group and delved deeper into the topic after the birth of a grandchild with disabilities.
“I think there’s something good in everybody and you don’t have to have a lot of money to be successful,” said Ravlin, who also volunteers with a new group, called “Women Who Care.” “Being successful in life is being kind and respectful and understanding to the people around you. It’s treating others like you want to be treated.”
Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
About the Author