Ray E. Voss

Ray E. Voss, age 85, of Schaller, Iowa died on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at the Odebolt Specialty Care in Odebolt, Iowa. Celebration of Life Services will be held at a later date. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. He was born November 26,1934, in Battle Creek, Iowa. Ray grew up in rural Sac County and lived in Schaller since 1942 until his health required specialized health care. He was at Odebolt Specialty Care from October 27, 2020, until he passed away. Ray was married to Jeralyn Kay Zoffka (Jakie) on November 6, 1954, and together they raised four children: Julia Kay, James Ray, Jeffrey Jay, and Jon Thomas. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Like many in small town Iowa, Ray supported his community in many ways throughout his life, some of which include: organizing and passionately coaching Little League Minors Baseball, serving on Tri-County Little League Board, Cub Scout Pack Leader, driving the bus and chaperoning baseball trips to Minnesota Twins games and Junior Class trips to the Black Hills. He was an active member in the Sac County Sportsman’s Club and helped with hunter safety classes, fish fry fundraisers, and tree plantings, and other capital improvements at County parks. Ray served his church as a Sunday School teacher, MYF counselor, and Trustee. He served for many years on the “Chain Gang” for the Schaller Rockets football games. Ray coached the Hayes Township Girls Softball team and managed the Schaller Merchants Men’s Fast Pitch softball team. Throughout Ray’s career in construction, he mentored many young men in job skills and life skills and reinforced small town values while having fun together in the process. He never stopped working to help people until he was physically unable to do so. Ray’s passions were many and intense. He was competitive in cards and bowling. Ray loved to hunt and fish, especially with family and friends. You could tell from his stories that it wasn’t the catching or bagging of game, but the camaraderie he enjoyed the most. He loved to cheer for local, children’s, and grandchildren’s sports teams and attended those events as often as possible. He had to bite his tongue while on the football Chain Gang as it was on the visitor’s side of the field. Unfortunately, Ray was bitten by the “Hawkeye bug” at an early age and was never able to shake the fever. He and Jakie drove all the way to Iowa City to attend Hawkeye football games. He also loved St. Louis Cardinal baseball and claimed exclusive rights to the Cardinal name for his Little League team. Ray loved his garden, his pets, working on the farm, and just going for a ride. Ray is survived by his wife, Jakie; children: Julie Geopfert, Jim (Diane) Voss, Jeff (Tammy) Voss, Jon (Julie) Voss; sisters: Janice Koenen, Ethlyn Vogler; grandchildren: Nikki Fox, Jaime (Matt) Hill, Chris (Nikki) Voss, Todd (Jenny) Voss, Jay Voss, Grant Voss, Brooklyn Voss; step-grandchildren: Don Turner; great-grandchildren: Connor, Austin, Tanner, Kaitlyn, Collin, Keira, Cooper, Tucker; Justin, Talia, Kyleigh, Henry; step-great-grandchildren: Brandon, Anthony, Ethan, Jordan. Tyler, Kaitlyn, Brianna, and Colin; step-great-great-grandchildren Annika, Dominic, Emrie, Addie, and August; brothers-in-law: Dr. Don Risk, Don (Carol) Zoffka and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ray was preceded in death by: father, Raymond; mother, Flora; step-mother, Geraldine; father-in-law, Roy; mother-in-Law, Hazel; brother, Don; sister-in-law, Marilyn; sister, Muriel; two infant brothers; sister-in-law Pat; and nephew Bill.

Ray E. Voss

November 26, 1934 - November 10, 2020