ABOUT SHERYL RAMSTAD

In My Own Words

For as long as I can remember, people have urged me to write a book about my life. Time and again, the suggestion has surfaced in conversations, sparked by the varied and, at times, extraordinary experiences that have shaped my journey. I have survived a catastrophic plane crash, defying the odds when doctors gave me less than a 1% chance of surviving severe burns, after which I served as a judge for 14 years, adopted children from another country, ran marathons, took on the monumental task of managing Minnesota’s prisons and community corrections, campaigned for public office, served in Governor Jesse Ventura’s cabinet, and summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro.

And as if life hadn’t been full enough, I made the unconventional decision to return to college at the age of 62, earning masters and doctorate degrees and embarking on a new career as a nurse after 37 years in the legal profession.

Whenever someone encouraged me to write it all down, my response was always the same: “I’m too busy living my life to write about it.” Reflecting on those words now, I realize they encapsulated my belief that each chapter of my story was still unfolding, leaving me little time to pause and capture it on paper.

The truth is, I hesitated to pause and reflect on a journey that felt far from over. But now, having passed the milestone of age 70 and stepping away from full-time employment, I’ve had the opportunity to appreciate what a remarkable ride it has been.

This memoir is not just a recounting of milestones and accomplishments, but an honest exploration of the mistakes I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, and the grace I’ve discovered along the way. One of the greatest realizations I’ve had is that our scars—physical, emotional, or otherwise—do not define us. Instead, it is our ability to rise again, to persevere, and to emerge stronger from life’s trials, that truly shapes who we are.

I invite readers on this journey with me, to traverse the landscapes of joy and pain, triumph and regret, growth and transformation, and in so doing, reflect on their own lives. It is my sincere hope that reading my memoir will inspire others to discover their personal paths of purpose and passion. May my story serve as a reminder that life is meant to be lived boldly and with an open heart, no matter what challenges we face or scars we carry.

 

Sheryl Ramstad, JD, MN, DNP, RN

Sheryl Ramstad’s life was hardly straightforward, uncomplicated, or smooth sailing. It has been marked by numerous bumps, hiccups, and unexpected detours. Yet every obstacle she encountered, every stumble along the way, ultimately revealed itself as a hidden gift—a subtle nudge guiding her toward deeper self-awareness and a more profound understanding of the world around her.

At age 29, Sheryl was a dedicated federal prosecutor handling criminal cases involving drugs, bank robberies, fraud, and firearms violations, when her life took a catastrophic turn. On July 7, 1979, she began the day training for a marathon, but by evening she was fighting for her survival. During her first solo flight as a student pilot, the plane she was flying malfunctioned, crashing in a densely populated St. Paul, Minnesota neighborhood.

The crash left Sheryl with burns covering over one-third of her body and less than a one percent chance of survival. What followed was a grueling battle against unimaginable pain, multiple surgeries, and the harrowing realities of burn treatment and therapy. Over two years of recovery, Sheryl endured physical and emotional challenges that tested her resolve, emerging not only as a survivor, but determined to reclaim and redefine her life.

The crash altered Sheryl's perspective, igniting a quest to overcome a sense of fragility and conquer the self-doubt that lingered. With extraordinary grit and determination, she ran 26.2-mile marathons, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, embraced professional and community leadership roles, raised a family, oversaw her brother’s political campaigns, and pursued her own bid for political office. Her commitment to public service led Minnesota's governor to appoint her as the first woman to serve as the state's Commissioner of Corrections, chair the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, and member of his leadership cabinet responsible for running the government.

Sheryl's 37-year career extended across diverse fields as a trial lawyer, judge, mediator, and public servant when at age 62, she returned to college to earn a doctorate in nursing practice. Her transition into healthcare was deeply personal—an expression of gratitude for the medical care that had saved her life decades earlier. She worked on the burn unit where her story began, dedicating herself to supporting other burn survivors, and held a leadership position in the county's safety net hospital, providing healthcare to the underserved.

Sheryl’s dedication to serving others extended beyond her professional roles, leading her to participate in international medical mission work in Honduras, Peru, Kenya, and Uganda. Mission work became a profound expression of her compassion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Through this international work, Sheryl encouraged and reminded others that their circumstances did not define their potential. She channeled her own journey of survival into a broader mission of healing and hope, demonstrating that the impact of compassion knows no borders.

Sheryl’s life is a powerful narrative of survival, reinvention, and service. Her remarkable achievements stand as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and her enduring commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.

Professional Honors/Leadership Experience

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Past President

  • American Bar Foundation Research Advisory Committee, Chair

  • Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors National Board of Directors

  • National Institute of Corrections Advisory Council

  • National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Council

  • Regions Hospital Foundation Board of Directors

  • Center for the Victims of Torture Board of Directors

  • Union Gospel Mission of the Twin Cities Board of Directors

  • Minneapolis Children’s Hospital Board of Directors

  • University of Minnesota School of Nursing Alumni Society, Past Chair

  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

  • YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, Past Chair

  • University of Minnesota Law School Board of Visitors, Past Chair

  • University of Jamestown Board of Trustees

  • Minnesota Supervised Release Board, Governor’s appointee

  • Women Business Leaders in Healthcare Woman of Inspiration & Influence