Raymond LeMaster
August 18, 1936 - April 6, 2026

Raymond Leslie LeMaster was born August 18, 1936, at 2:00 pm on what his mother said was the hottest day of the year. She said when he "popped out" the temperature dropped. Ray said that this could have been the result of her condition, but he liked to think He had something to do with making his mother more comfortable and being able to change the weather.

Services for Ray will be held Monday April 13, 2026, 10:30 am at LifePointe Church 409 13th St Ames IA. Family and friends are welcome at a Visitation Sunday, April 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way Ames IA.
The service will be livestreamed at the link below:
https://youtube.com/live/NzDmtc3tl4A

Raymond was born in Ogden, Iowa to Ruth M Swain and Marion Leslie LeMaster. He was the youngest of seven children. He lived his early years in Ogden but in 1950 his family moved to 1427 Monona Street in Boone. He attended Boone High School and graduated in 1954.
He met and married Shirley Mestdagh Munson in 1956. He became an instant father of her three year old daughter Robin Rhea, whom he later adopted. From that union they had two more children: a son Jeffrey Jay and a daughter Koreen Kay.
Ray had many jobs trying to put food on the table and to provide a nice home for his family. He was a volunteer fireman for the Boone Fire Department, and pumped gas at a local gas station. He was a salesclerk at JC Petersons clothing store. That is where he acquired his taste for dressing and looking his best... was always a sharp dresser.
Ray was raised in the Baptist Church in Boone but later attended and was involved in The Central Christian Church. He was a Sunday school teacher and held the position of Deacon for many years.
Ray joined the Air Guard in 1956 to 1964. Was activated in 1961-1962 during the Berlin Crisis and was stationed in France, where he served as a member of the Military Police on base.
In March of 1959 he began his career at John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny Iowa as a production worker in the sheet metal department. This was a part-time job for him as he still aspired of becoming a lawyer. He commented how funny life goals change, sometime not even realizing it happens. His goals did change and he found he was really enjoying what he was doing and accomplishing. He was asked and accepted the potions as Union Rep. In 1968 the company felt his expertise in the shop and with the Union could better be utilized in shop, so he became supervisor. In 1972, he led a team to Managua, Nicaragua where John Deere shipped 75 Cotton Pickers. He taught their technicians about the cotton Pickers so they could train their own workers. He made two separate trips to different areas of Nicaragua. He became the Night Shift Superintendent with the responsibility of overseeing all shift operations at the Des Moines Factory until his retirement in 1999 after 40 years. While working at John Deere he also attended DMACC. Which was then called Boone Junior College. He said he majored in Ping Pong, but we all know it was a course in Mechanical Engineering.
In 1994 his marriage to Shirley dissolved and he moved to Ames.
He married Anita Marie Laisure Wirtz on July 1, 1996, at her sister's acreage in Greenfield Indiana, they made their home in Ames until his passing. Many a night we would gather around the supper table sharing stories. Ray was REALLY GOOD at sharing his adventures as Indiana Jones. He had quite the imagination convincing those around the table he really was Indiana Jones. The boys would always come back with their own little quips that he could smell the coffee in Brazil, referring to his large nose. Many fun memories were made around that small table.
Ray enjoyed a good game of golf whenever possible and was out on the greens playing alongside friends until his hips said No-More!!
He was a Hawkeye fan to the bone. Many game days were spent jumping and yelling in front of the TV. It made him feel better but often never changed the outcome.
Ray loved to work in the yard and loved the outdoors. He had a large pool put in his backyard but said it wasn't for him as he could never swim. He enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the kids jump, splash, and play in the water until the water guns came out and it was more dangerous than it was worth and moved out of reach.
He had many fury companions that he loved, yes Justin even YOYO. His last two were toy miniature schnauzers Brezil and Leibe. You could always find them on his lap or walking faithfully beside him. They miss him immensely!! If heaven needs a new warning system, they will be the first to volunteer!!
Ray loved his family, his friends, and his life. Most of all he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His greatest desire was and is to see his children and grands come to the saving grace of Jesus.
Ray was preceded death by his parents Ruth and Marion. His siblings Bonnie, Joyce, Francis, Dale, Jean, and Gary.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Anita. Her children and their spouses: Joshua and Shari Wirtz of Colfax, Courtney and Rebecca Wirtz of Dayton Ohio, Justin and Crystal Wirtz of Altoona. His children and spouses: Robin and Tom Gogerty of Madrid Iowa, Jeff and Sylvia LeMaster of Minneapolis/ Arizona, and Koreen Rayl of Ankeny.
Many grandchildren: Danny and Drea LeMaster of Minneapolis, Derek LeMaster traveler of the world, Katy and Michael Niehus of Polk City, Sean Gogerty of Madrid, Christian Rayl of Ankeny, Michaiah and Zackary Turbes of Des Moines, Cayden Wirtz of Greenfield, Indiana, Hadleigh Wirtz of Greenfield Indiana, Simeon Wirtz of Ames, Jaden Wirtz of Altoona, Avory Wirtz of Altoona.
Great grandchildren: Harper, Henley, Hadley Niehus of Polk City, Harrison and Walker Turbes of Des Moines.
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and oh so many friends.
Ray wanted to send a special message to his grandson Cayden. He wanted so much to be well to attend his wedding in October. He said you picked a great gal and wife to be with Emma. You can share all the details one day when you meet again in the heavenlies.
Ray will be greatly missed but we rejoice knowing he is at peace and pain free and will be waiting with outstretched arms to embrace each of us on our Homecoming.

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