Raymond Meyer

Raymond H. Meyer, 80, of Atlantic, Iowa, and formerly of Greenfield, Iowa, passed away Monday, July 10, 2006, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.
Ray's life began on May 12, 1926, in Fonda, Iowa. His mother, Edna died within weeks of his birth and he was raised by his maternal grandmother in Whittemore, Iowa. After completing eighth grade, he began working fulltime at Geelan's Store where he learned retail work, customer service and made good use of his natural friendliness.
Three years later, he entered the U.S. Navy where he proudly served during World War II as a cook aboard the USS Winged Arrow. He initiated his ship's first reunion in the 1980's after a diligent search to find shipmates.
Returning to Kossuth County, he began a 41 year career in the propane gas industry. This took him from Algona, Iowa to Emmetsburg, Iowa to Greenfield, Iowa and Atlanta, Illinois where he worked his way to plant manager within the Thermogas and MAPCO companies.
At a summer carnival in Whittemore, he met Leta Reynolds whom he married on March 30, 1948. To this union two daughters and a son were born. Being a family was very important to Ray and he demonstrated that through working, teaching and playing with his children. In the summer, he would readily pitch for the neighborhood baseball games. In winter, he would pull the sleds up the hills for Nancy, Dan and Diane and their friends. Family vacations to Minnesota were a highlight each year. Ray had an extended family that came to him in 1969 when Leta began babysitting for Marlene Shildberg's daughter, Debbie. He welcomed both of them with open arms calling Debbie another daughter. This spring Ray and Leta celebrated 58 years together. Even through the Alzheimer's fading away, their connection did not falter and their love for each other was evident every day.
Ray spent countless hours working within the communities he lived. He served in leadership positions for Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, and Lions. He would be the first to offer his organizational skills for fundraisers and programs. He served on city councils in Emmetsburg and Greenfield.
He loved the Catholic Church and participated fully in every parish where he was a member. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and was instrumental in starting the K of C organization at St. John's in Greenfield.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, helping people and organizations with projects and visiting. Nothing made him happier than a room full of people he didn't know.
He is survived by his wife Leta who resides at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa; his children; Diane and Robert Weiland of Greenfield, Iowa; Nancy and Wayne Birchard of Atlantic, Iowa; Dan and Vicki Meyer of Ankeny, Iowa and Debbie and David Boyer of West Des Moines, Iowa. Ray's 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren include Andy and Dani Meyer and their children Haylee and Damion of Orient, Iowa; Tony Meyer and his friend Ashley of Creston, Iowa; Emilee Birchard and her friend Juan of Omaha, Nebraska; Bryan Birchard and his friend Kristi of Fairfield, Iowa; Mollie Birchard of Atlantic, Iowa; Sally Parsons of Ankeny, Iowa; Elizabeth, Andrea, Mason and Carson Boyer of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Brennen and Breanna Weiland of Greenfield, Iowa, as well as his half-brothers Melvin Meyers and his wife Mary and Charles Fred Meyers; as well as many other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Raymond H. Meyer will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa with Father Dan Siepker officiating.
No visitation is scheduled.
His ashes will be interred in the Atlantic Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Donations may be given to the family for a memorial fund to be established in Raymond's honor.
Hockenberry Family Care is in charge of the arrangements.