Raymond Jepsen

Raymond Peter Jepsen was born September 21, 1919, the son of Julius and Anna Rossow Jepsen. He passed away on April 4, 2011, at the Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa, at the age of ninety-one.

He was born in Denison, Iowa, and attended rural schools near his home through the eighth grade. He started working on farms as a hired man in the Correctionville and Battle Creek area. In 1955 he bought his farm near Schleswig, Iowa, and worked on it until just last year.
He was united in marriage to Lucille Baeth on May 14, 1939, at Trinity Lutheran Church at Grant Township near Ida Grove, Iowa. To this union three children were born.
Ray was a wise and very observant man. He could tell a sick cow from a healthy cow or if a piece of machinery was missing a screw or bolt. He was a hard worker and loved working on the farm. He wasnt one to sit around for very long. He was a man of high integrity, forthright, strong-willed, and believed strongly in treating everyone fairly, expecting the same in return. He had a very strong dislike for mulberry trees. He loved dogs and always had dogs that helped him with the livestock. A highlight for Ray was attending the White River Rodeo in South Dakota. He was an excellent dancer, especially enjoying polkas and the music of Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, and Lawrence Welk. He was able to frequent Lawrence Welk events around Schleswig in the early days of the Lawrence Welk band. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Schleswig.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter-in-law, Barbara; three brothers: Martin and his wife, Helen; Julius; and Edward and his wife, Wanda; two sisters: Adela and her husband, Carl; and Malinda Burk.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille; two sons: Loren and his wife, Janice; and Larry and his wife, Mary; one daughter, Joan and her husband; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Doris; other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and gifts evidenced by cards, flowers, memorials, and food donated. They pray that this acknowledgment and blessing will comfort those who have offered so much to their family at the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.