Author Archives: Sandy Shinn

Military History – February 2022

The 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) was an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-2000s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history. This earned them the nickname “The Walking Dead”. 

In late 2005, the battalion was once again activated and attached to the 8th Marine Regiment at MCB Camp Lejeune. Although the first full company has deployed, 1/9 was not expected to be ready for deployment as a battalion until May 2008. On 19 April 2007, 1/9 was officially stood up with all of its subordinate units fully manned. 

As of 29 August 2014 the battalion has once again been deactivated due to a force shaping initiative and downsizing of the Marine Corps.[1] 

On the occasion of this deactivation, one of its former officers lauded: “Not a better battalion in the world”. 

Vietnam War 

During the Vietnam War, the unit earned the name “The Walking Dead” for its high casualty rate.[5] The battalion endured the longest sustained combat and suffered the highest killed in action (KIA) rate in Marine Corps history, especially during the Battle of July Two. The battalion was engaged in combat for 47 months and 7 days, from 15 June 1965 to 19 October 1966 and 11 December 1966 to 14 July 1969. Based on a typical battalion strength of 800 Marines and Navy hospital corpsmen, 93.63% (747) were Killed In Action (KIA) and 0.25% (2) were Missing In Action (MIA). 

For More information on this topic visit page at Wikipedia.org! 

 

Edward John White

Edward John White, 77, of Waverly, Iowa died Wednesday, September 1, 2021.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Waverly Area Veterans Post on Friday, October 22, from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can made in honor of Edward White to the Waverly Area Veterans Post.

Ed was born on October 8, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Edward is the son of Farnum White and Margaret (Wager) White. Ed was a graduate of Jefferson High School in 1961 and of Wartburg College in 1972. Upon graduating from High School Ed joined the Air Force and was stationed in Texas, Mississippi, Michigan and ended up in Waverly Iowa. He met a local girl, the love of his life, Sandra Koepsell and married on August 20, 1967.

 

In his younger years Ed played fast pitch softball in Cedar Rapids. His team won many state tournaments. In 1971, Welty Way won the United States National Tournament. In 1972 they went to the Philippines for the World Championship for over 10 days and played in the Championship game, losing to Canada 1-0 in 11 innings. In 1980 Ed was selected as the All Star Manager of the tournament managing Midwest Galleries to the Nationals, were they lost to Seattle 2-1 in 14 innings. Ed White was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

 

Ed loved going to coffee in the morings, and to the Waverly Area Veterans Post. In the evenings he loved watching the Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ed and Larry Wendt became business partners in 1985. Ed and Larry weren’t just business partners, they were friends and loved being around each other.

Ed is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Kristine, of Florida, son Dan, of Waverly, two granddaughters, Kathrine and Trisha, and sister Donna Cross, of Cedar Rapids . Ed is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Brian and sister Ester Marie White.

 

 

 

Marlys Jean Mummelthei

Marlys J. Mummelthei, 96, of Waverly, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

      Marlys Jean Mummelthei was born on March 25, 1925, the daughter of Louis and Clara (Meier) Platte in rural Tripoli, Iowa. She was baptized on April 12, 1925, at Maxfield Church and confirmed on April 2, 1939, at St. John Lutheran Church Crane Creek, rural Tripoli.  She attended rural schools in the Tripoli area. On September 19, 1943, she was united in marriage to Lorenz Mummelthei at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. Marlys was then employed at Harrisons and then began her career as a farmer’s wife and mother.

     She was on the Evangelism committee at St. Paul’s, volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at the Waverly Hospital, Red Cross Blood drives, a cancer recovery support person, Ladies Amvet auxiliary and helped at the Veterans home in Marshalltown. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

     Survivors are her son, Steven (Deb) Mummelthei of Waverly; four grandchildren and their children: Marc (Danielle) Mummelthei, and Madyson and Macy, Drew (Joy) Mummelthei and Andy, Ava, Ally and Acre, Stephanie (Clint) Whitcome and Weston, Kinley and Luke, Matt (Victoria) Mummelthei and Lenna. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lorenz on October 10, 2005; infant daughter, Connie and a brother, Lavern Platte. 

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Roland Brase

Roland D. Brase, 83, of Waverly, died Saturday, July 24, 2021, at his residence.

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Alfred M. “Al” Janssen

Alfred M. “Al” Janssen, age 90, of Waverly, Iowa, died Saturday, July 24, 2021, at his home.

Al was born in a farm home one mile west of Austinville, IA on February 19, 1931, to Ole and Mary Huesman Janssen. He was baptized on May 13, 1931, in the Austinville Christian Reformed Church by Rev. Joling.

He attended Austinville Grade School and graduated from Aplington High School in 1948. After farming with his dad for a few years he enrolled at Iowa State College, now known as Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Operations and a minor in Ag Education in 1958.

On September 1, 1956, he married Kathleen DeNeui at St. John Lutheran Church in Wellsburg, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children, Marcia (Gary) Weuve, of San Marcos, TX, Laura (Kurt) Busse of Bloomington, IL, and Daniel (Hanna) Janssen of Mequon, WI. 

He served 16 years in the Iowa National Guard attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was a member of the Waverly Amvet Post 79 and served as a member of the color guard. Al was also a member of the Waverly Exchange Club where he served as President for one term and was awarded the Golden Deed Award in 2002.  He served on the Waverly City Council, Bartels Board of Trustees, Waverly Electrical Board, and the Hospice Advisory Committee. As was a 4-H leader for 11 years and was honored at the Iowa State Fair as Iowan of the Day in 2010. He also served as a Hospice volunteer for 20 years. In retirement he taught Animal Nutrition for one year at Hawkeye College and published a book in 2000 entitled: The Team Behind the Barn and Other Memories.

Al was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church serving in many leadership capacities, sang in the choir for 45 years and taught Sunday School for 40 years. He had a passion for Evangelism.

Al spent his career in sales and marketing with Midland Cooperative, Supersweet Feeds, and 32 years with United Suppliers based in Eldora, Iowa. 

Survived by: his loving wife of 65 years, Kathleen, children, Marcia (Gary) Weuve, Laura (Kurt) Busse, Daniel (Hanna) Janssen, grandchildren, Jordan (Whitney) Busse, Jessica Busse, Gabrielle Janssen, Julia Janssen, great-grandchildren, MaryCarol Kathleen Busse and Adelyn Ruth Busse. His brother, Dale (Lynda) Janssen. He is also survived by, three step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren, along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Leola Janssen and Norma Jean Janssen in infancy, Mildred Van Hove, Anna Yorke and one brother, Harley. Four brothers-in-law Henry Stubbe, Roy Yorke, Ben Van Hove, and Ronald deNeui.

He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and shared Him whenever there was an opportunity.

+ Nothing in my hand I bring but simply to Thy cross I cling.

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Military History – July 2021

The Battle for Guam, 1944

Guam is the largest of the Marianas, 32 miles (52 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide. It had been a United States possession since its capture from Spain in 1898 until it was captured by the Japanese on 10 December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was not as heavily fortified as the other Mariana Islands such as Saipan that had been Japanese possessions since the end of World War I, but by 1944 it had a large Japanese garrison.

The Allied plan for the invasion of the Marianas, Operation Forager, called for heavy preliminary bombardment, first by carrier aircraft and planes based in the Marshall Islands to the east, then once air superiority was gained, close bombardment by battleships. Saipan, Tinian, and Guam were chosen as targets due to their size, their suitability as a base for supporting the next stage of operations toward the Philippines, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands; the deep-water harbor at Apra was suitable for the largest ships; and airfields for Boeing B-29 Superfortresses could be built from which to bomb Japan.

The invasion of Saipan was scheduled for 15 June 1944, with landings on Guam tentatively set for 18 June. The original timetable was optimistic, however. A large Japanese carrier attack and stubborn resistance by the unexpectedly large garrison on Saipan led to the invasion of Guam being postponed for a month.

A US naval and air bombardment lasted from 11-13 June 1944, involving 216 carrier aircraft and B-24s. On the 12th and 13th, 12 Japanese cargo ships and several fishing vessels were sunk. Battleships started shelling the island on 27 June, joined by a carrier group on 4 July, and two more on 6 July, with the loss of 16 US aircraft.

Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for an attacker. Underwater demolition teams reconnoitered the beaches and removed obstacles from 14-17 July. Despite the obstacles, on 21 July, the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote Peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to secure Apra Harbor. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:29, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, especially on the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but, by 09:00, men and tanks were ashore at both beaches.  By nightfall, the Americans had established beachheads about 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep. Japanese counterattacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy losses of men and equipment.

The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing on 23-24 July. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft. The men stationed in the two beachheads were pinned down by heavy Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow. Supply was very difficult[3] for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred yards from the beach, and amphibious vehicles were scarce.

The 1st Provisional blocked off the Orote Peninsula on 25 July, and that same night Lt. General Takeshi counterattacked, coordinated with a similar attack against the 3rd Division to the north. The next day, General Obata reported, “our forces failed to achieve the desired objectives.” Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata took over the command of the defenders. On 28 July, the two beachheads were linked, and by 29 July, the peninsula was secure.

The counterattacks against the American beachheads, as well as the fierce fighting, had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August, they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central and northern part of the island, “to engage in delaying action in the jungle in northern Guam to hold the island as long as possible”.

After ensuring no significant Japanese forces operated in the southern portion of Guam, Major General Geiger started an offensive north with the 3rd Marine Division on the left flank, and the 77th Infantry Division on the right, liberating Agana on the same day. The Tiyan Airfield was captured on 1 Aug.

Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement with the main Japanese line of defense around Mount Barrigada from 2-4 August, the Japanese line collapsed. The 1st Provisional formed up on the left flank of the 3rd Marine on 7 August, due to the widening front and continued casualties, in an effort to prevent the Japanese from slipping through the American gaps. The Japanese had another stronghold at Mount Santa Rosa, which was secured on 8 Aug.

On 10 August, organized Japanese resistance ended, and Guam was declared secure, though an estimated 7,500 Japanese soldiers were estimated to be at-large. The next day, Obata committed ritual suicide at his headquarters on Mount Mataguac, after sending a farewell message to Japan.

A few Japanese soldiers held out in the jungle. On 8 December 1945, three U.S. Marines were ambushed and killed. On 24 January 1972, Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi was discovered by hunters. He had lived alone in a cave for 27 years.

After the battle, Guam was turned into a base for Allied operations. Five large airfields were built by the Seabees, and B-29 bombers flew from Northwest Field and North Field on the island to attack targets in the Western Pacific and on mainland Japan.

 

Military History – June 2021

The Battle of Midway was a decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, only six months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States Navy under Admirals Chester Nimitz, Frank Jack Fletcher, and Raymond A.  Spruance decisively defeated an attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy under Admirals Isoroku Yamamoto, Chuichi Nagumo, and Nobutake Kondo near Midway Atoll, inflicting devastating damage on the Japanese fleet that proved irreparable. Military historian John Keegan called it “the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.”

The operation, like the earlier attack on Pearl Harbor, sought to eliminate the United States as a strategic power in the Pacific, thereby giving Japan a free hand in establishing its Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The Japanese hoped another demoralizing defeat would force the U.S. to capitulate in the Pacific War and thus ensure Japanese dominance in the Pacific. Luring the American aircraft carriers into a trap and occupying Midway was part of an overall “barrier” strategy to extend Japan’s defensive perimeter, in response to the Doolittle air raid on Tokyo. This operation was also considered preparatory for further attacks against Fiji, Samoa, and Hawaii itself.

The plan was handicapped by faulty Japanese assumptions of the American reaction and poor initial dispositions. Most significantly, American codebreakers were able to determine the date and location of the planned attack, enabling the forewarned U.S. Navy to prepare its own ambush. All four of Japan’s large aircraft carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu, part of the six-carrier force that had attacked Pearl Harbor six months earlier—and a heavy cruiser were sunk, while the U.S. lost only the carrier Yorktown and a destroyer. After Midway and the exhausting attrition of the Solomon Islands campaign, Japan’s capacity to replace its losses in materiel (particularly aircraft carriers) and men (especially well-trained pilots and maintenance crewmen) rapidly became insufficient to cope with mounting casualties, while the United States’ massive industrial and training capabilities made losses far easier to replace. The Battle of Midway is considered a turning point in the Pacific War.

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Marcia Meyer

Marcia Yaggy Meyer, 100, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away May 22, 2021 at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community.

Marcia was born on October 28, 1920, in Blairstown, Iowa to the Reverend Oliver and Mrs. Edna Yaggy. She was the youngest of three children. Her siblings were Miriam Yaggy Renz (Heine) and Mark Yaggy (Gweneth). Most of her youth was spent at their family home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where her father ministered at the Evangelical United Brethren Church near downtown Cedar Falls.

Marcia attended Cedar Falls High School and enjoyed learning how to play the violin as well as becoming a member of the Red Peppers Cheerleading Squad. She also spent time during each summer at the Bible Conference grounds with her family as well as developing an interest in anything related to Home Economics—cooking, sewing, decorating and more.

It was during high school that Marcia somehow met John Meyer. He has told stories about how he and some of his friends would drive to Cedar Falls on Wednesday nights, which was church night, and she would sneak out of a window in the church basement to join them as they drove around town. She made the most out of Wednesday night church!

After graduation, Marcia attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (University of Northern Iowa) to major in Home Economics for two years. World War II interrupted her schooling as she and a girlfriend took off to get a job with McDonnell-Douglas aircraft in California. She wasn’t exactly ‘Rosie the Riveter’, but she did obtain a position in the plant office as a secretary. Eventually, she was called home to help out with a family health situation.

Marcia married John Meyer while he was on leave during the War. Joel, their first born child, was born on August 6, 1945, the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. When John returned to Waverly after the war, they settled in a home just north of the Waverly bowling alley. Later, they lived at 323 2nd Street SW and then were ‘pioneers’ as they built a home on the edge of town in the Ridgewood subdivision in 1959/1960.

Waverly was the only place to live, according to John and Marcia. John was very involved in the historical preservation of Waverly as well as the parks. He was very proud of his involvement in WWII and returned to Waverly after the war ended to help his Dad with Meyer Pharmacy.

Marcia enjoyed being involved in Waverly and made some very good friends. She enjoyed playing bridge, playing her violin in Waverly-Wartburg Community Symphony, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, helped organize P. E. O. Chapter ML and took care of four children while John ran the drugstore.

Marcia’s faith in God was a constant in her life. She never missed a Daily Devotion—her favorite sources were Guideposts and the Daily Word. Prayer and a short meditation have continued to be a part of her morning ritual. Perhaps that has been why she has always had such a positive outlook about her life and events that have occurred over the years.

Among Marcia’s many talents was the creative touch she put on almost everything that she did. She loved to decorate her home not only with her interior design skills, but she also made every holiday special. Fall is probably her favorite season but Valentine’s Day, Easter, the summer patriotic holidays, Halloween and Christmas always brought forth different decorative touches.

Her family loved it! Her delicious and carefully decorated cut out cookies were always enjoyed by her family and friends—gingerbread boys/girls at Christmas, cutout sugar cookies for Christmas and Valentine’s Day (hearts), bunnies and eggs for Easter, pumpkins for Halloween. They were always special and good to eat!

Marcia was a great seamstress and made many a dress for herself and clothing for her four children to wear to church or special occasions, especially Liz who now wishes she would have appreciated them more in her youth when she ‘had’ to wear them rather than wearing store bought clothes as did her friends. Little did she know at that time that her mother’s creations were very special.

In 1984, Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. She was a 37- year survivor and has remained cancer free ever since.

As Marcia resisted moving from her home and belongings after John passed away 15 years ago, the Meyer children definitely appreciated the friendship of Heidi Kramer over the past 15 years as she has helped Marcia in more ways than one. Heidi and her family have come to the rescue for us many times especially when it was not convenient for anyone ie. In the middle of night or on holidays. In August of 2015, the health event that we had anticipated occurred from which Marcia rebounded. After recovering from a blood clot/fall, she adjusted to life in the Bartel’s Community where she lived in Assisted Living at Linden Place and then to Woodland Terrace in recent years. Heidi has been there for Marcia and the family when it was difficult for us to get to Waverly. Heidi has been a true blessing to all of us, especially Marcia, because Waverly was her home and she wanted to live out her life there.

We also appreciate the care and attention that the fine staff at the Bartel’s Retirement Community have given to Marcia throughout the two years she lived at Linden Place and then the special care from those staff members at Woodland Terrace especially during the unusual year with Covid-19. In addition to the wonderful nursing staff, cleaning, kitchen, music/leisure activity staffs, they have developed some wonderful ways to work with communication for family members who are unable to visit residents often. We appreciate the extra time spent with Face Timing for each of us so that we could each have a day every week to visit our mother when we couldn’t visit her in person. Thank you so very much for all that you’ve done.

Marcia leaves behind four children—Joel (Gloria) Meyer of Plymouth, MN, Elizabeth/Liz (Paul) Kallestad of St. Charles, MO, Dr. William/Bill (Rosemary) Meyer of Ellensburg, WA and Thomas/ Tom (Ulrike/Ulli) Meyer of Juneau, Alaska; seven grandchildren—Kristi Kallestad, Katherine (Dan) Emrick all from St. Peters, MO, Kendra (Brad Nowak) of St. Charles, MO, Christopher (Mirentxu/Txu) Meyer of Charlottesville, VA, Johnathan (Carly) Meyer of Seattle, WA, Ida Meyer and Eva Meyer of Juneau, Alaska; six great-grandchildren—Sam Emrick, Adrienne Emrick of St. Peters, MO, Kallesta/Kalle Nowak and Karsten/Kari Nowak of St. Charles, MO and Cristian Meyer and Caroline Meyer of Charlottesville, VA. Marcia has a niece, Gayle (Ted) Wise who reside in Chino Valley, AZ.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Oliver and Mrs. Edna Yaggy, older sister, Miriam Renz, an older brother, Mark Yaggy and her husband, John Edward Meyer who passed in December of 2005 at the age of 86 and a niece, Maureen Renz Esch Brimager who passed in 2015 and a nephew, Malcolm Renz, who passed away in 2016. We, Marcia’s children, appreciate everyone who has remained in contact with her over the years—Mom and Dad’s close friends and neighbors, people who knew us as youngsters, their hunting friends who had fun hunting mushroom, pheasants, asparagus, their biking friends, her P. E. O. Sisters who have watched over her especially in the past few years, her good bridge playing friends, those special people from our parents’ favorite place to get a good steak dinner—the former Amvets/Waverly Veteran’s Post, the fine people from Meyer Pharmacy, the Wartburg connection—lunches, dinner, the Artist Series and all of the treasured customers of Meyer Pharmacy who came from all over Bremer County.

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Raymond Leroy Fredrick

Raymond Leroy “Ray” Fredrick, 91, of Waverly, died on Thursday, May 19, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community.

Ray was born on November 5, 1929, in Strawberry Point, Iowa, the youngest of nine children born to William Andrew Fredrick and Emma Anna Baumgartner Fredrick. William was a farm implement dealer in Strawberry Point, and Emma was a very busy homemaker and mother to her six girls and three boys. Ray was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point.

William died when Ray was fifteen years old, and Emma moved the family to Waverly, where Ray graduated from high school in 1947. In the fall of that year he started studies at Wartburg College, studying liberal arts and business administration. He transferred to the University of Iowa for his senior year, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and a minor in English. Ray married Edith JoAnn (Jo) Arbogast in 1954, in Parkland, Washington. They raised three children, and although they later divorced, they remained friends.

From childhood, Ray was fascinated by engines and airplanes, and during late high school and college he served in the United States Naval Reserve. After graduating from college, he entered multi-engine pilot training with the United States Air Force as an aviation cadet from 1951 to Febuary, 1952, at Greenville (Mississippi) Air Force Base. His next stop (1952 to 1954) was Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, where he trained on the T-6 and was also an electronic countermeasures pilot of B-29 and B-25 aircraft. From 1954 to 1957 he piloted DC-3 and DC-4 aircraft in special missions for both military and civilian VIP out of Frankfurt, Germany (Rhein-Main Air Base.)

Still in the Air Force, Ray worked as an Assistant Professor of Air Science and Faculty Advisor in Military Affairs in the ROTC program at Drake University, Des Moines, from 1957 to 1960. During this time he graduated from the Air University’s Courses in Academic Instruction and also from Squadron Officer’s School.

In 1960 Ray was transferred to “The Country Club of the Air Force,” Hamilton Air Force Base, along the western shore of San Pablo Bay near Novato, California. During his three years there, he flew special air missions in support of Army VIP at the Presidio in San Francisco and was an instructor pilot on the DC-3. This might have been his favorite assignment, as he always said Hamilton was the most beautiful air base in the world.

During 1963, Ray was part of the second contingent of U.S. Air Force pilots known as “The Dirty Thirty” (not to be confused with the 1959 Iowa State football team.) They were “on loan” to the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) and under the command of Lt. Col. Nguyen Cao-Ky, serving primarily as instructors for the VNAF pilots. As part of this operation, Ray was awarded the Air Medal and the Vietnamese Senior Pilot certificate. The Dirty Thirty was, and still is, the only Air Force contingent ever to serve under direct command of a foreign nation, and its pilots were the first U.S. airmen committed to combat in Vietnam.

After returning to the United States from Vietnam, Ray was happy to be stationed back at Hamilton, from 1964 to 1968, serving as Operations and Maintenance Officer in the Navigator Instructor Squadron. While there, he earned his Command Pilot rating, which he said he was “more proud of than anything else I did in the service.”

Another foreign assignment began in 1968, when he was transferred to Incirlik Air Force Base, Adana, Turkey. He served in several capacities there: Base Operations and Training Officer, Chief of Flight Operations, Deputy Base Commander, Aircraft Commander DC-6, and Instructor Pilot DC-4. He was able to have his family with him for this assignment, and they all loved the two years they spent there.

Ray’s final assignment with the Air Force was from 1970 to 1972, at Andrews Air Force Base (now Joint Base Andrews) in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He was an instructor pilot and Flight Examiner DC-6 in Air Transport Operations. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Major on May 31, 1972. Throughout his Air Force career he earned several medals, including the Air Force Commendation Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Outstanding Unit Award; Expeditionary Medal; Republic of Vietnam Combat Medal/Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Germany, 1954); and Small Arms Expert Marksman Medal.

Throughout his career as a pilot, Ray flew official missions for the Air Force to over 70 countries, and this was something he very much enjoyed discussing with anyone who was interested. He also claimed to have “unofficially” touched down in countless other countries over those years, but don’t tell anyone….

Ray was not done working when he left the Air Force. After moving his family back to his hometown of Waverly, he began his second career in 1973 as Judicial Magistrate for the Iowa District Court, 2nd Judicial District. He remained in this position until retiring in August 1992. Although some who appeared before him might disagree, he was known as a fair and professional judge by most who came to his court. He very much enjoyed this job, his coworkers, and numerous others he had the chance to meet during this career.

Among Ray’s interests were watches and clocks; the weather; writing; United States and P.O.W. flags; airplanes; and trivia, but he could and did talk with anyone about anything, and enjoyed doing so with his many friends. He was also not shy about “re-educating” anyone he felt needed it, on proper display of the flag. Many family and friends will greatly miss his morning “trivia texts” that he really enjoyed sending.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Carla Lown (Tom) of Waterloo, and Christa Jacimore (Larry) of Little Rock, Arkansas; his son, Charles, of Waterloo; his former wife and mother of his three children, Jo Little of Little Rock, Arkansas; his grandchildren, Jessica Moser of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Jamie Ford (Corey) of Iowa City, Michael Newburg (Susan) of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and his great-granddaughter Abigail Rae Moser, of Jacksonville, Arkansas; as well as several nieces and nephews, and numerous good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters (Erma Eppler; Julia Jahr; Lillian Jahr; Deleva Oppermann; Gladys Burge; and Donna Andersen) and two brothers (William Fredrick and Arnold Fredrick.)

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Lawrence George Schmidt

Lawrence George “Larry” Schmidt, age 82, of Waverly, Iowa, died Sunday, May 9th, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, Iowa. 

Larry was born June 5, 1938, in Butler County, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Minnie (Laube) Schmidt.  Larry was baptized in June of 1938 in Clarksville, Iowa and on March 18, 1951, he was confirmed at Peace United Church of Christ in Waverly.  He graduated from Waverly High School in 1957.  Larry served active duty in the United States Army from 1960-1962 then transferred to the National Guard and continued to serve until 1967.  On May 2, 1965, Larry was united in marriage to Joyce Brase at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly.  During his life Larry worked for Fred’s Super Value, Shield Bantam, Oliver Corporation all in Iowa. While working for Bantam/Koehring as District Manager he and his family were transferred to Golden Colorado.  In 1979, he and his family moved back to Waverly, Iowa, where he was general foreman at Koehring.  In 1980, his career took him to GMT as a tool designer and then a year later he became a Production Manager at RADA Manufacturing where he then retired on June 1, 2000. 

Larry was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly where he was on the counting committee for 20+ years. Larry was a devoted fifty plus year member of Tyrell Masonic Lodge in Waverly where he held numerous offices included a two time past master and chaplain .  He was very passionate about his involvement with El Kahir Shrine in Cedar Rapids where he was active in the cycle patrol unit and then the Mobile Nobles with also being a past director the Jesters, all within Shrine.  Larry enjoyed spending time fishing over the years with his daughter’s and then passing on that tradition to his granddaughters.  He also found a passion with woodworking and loved to golf with his brother, Smitty. Larry was created as a man of his word.  He had a strong love for his family and enjoyed watching his granddaughters in all of their activities.  He was respected by all those that knew him and he was always there to help a friend or someone in need.  Everyone seems to have a story about Larry or a kind word to share… he was loved by so many. 

Larry’s memory is honored by: wife, Joyce Schmidt of Waverly; two daughters, Heidi (Ed) Abben of Waverly and Gretchen (David) Smith of Rifle, Colorado; four beautiful granddaughters, Faith, Gracie, Lizzie, and Amelia Abben all of Waverly; brother, Emil Schmidt of Cedar Falls; sister-in-law, Carolyn Schrage of Shell Rock; and brother-in-law, Ron Brase of Waverly.  He was preceded in death by: his parents, Alfred and Minnie Schmidt; Brother, Vern Schmidt; Sister in-laws, Pat Schmidt and Mary Joan Schmidt; in-laws, Wilbert and Arlene Brase; and brother-in-law, Terry Schrage. 

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