Raymond Peter Zmolek of Boone, better known as Ray or “Zmo” to his friends and family, passed with his daughters, Pam and Jan, by his side on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at the age of 87.
Ray was born on Aug. 10, 1936, the youngest of five, to Peter and Mary (Dvorak) Zmolek in Clutier, Iowa.
Growing up, he helped his dad on the family farm.
Ray graduated from Clutier High School with a total of six classmates. He played basketball for the Clutier Charging Czechs.
After graduating, he worked for Asplundh Tree Service for one year in Toledo, Iowa.
His career continued with Iowa Electric Light and Power as a lineman. He was later promoted to operations supervisor with Alliant Energy in Boone, retiring in 1996.
Ray was married to Ellen Thoms. To this union two daughters were born, Pam and Jan. They later divorced. He then married Mary Hanson. They wintered in Mesa, Arizona, for many years.
Ray was the kind of guy whom people were drawn to. He made many great friends over the years with his open heart and great sense of humor. He would help anyone in need. He enjoyed happy hours with his buds, shooting the breeze about anything and everything, especially his Hawkeyes and Cyclones.
Surviving to celebrate his memories are his family and many loving relatives. Ray’s survivors include his daughter Pam (Randy) Cibula of Camdenton, Missouri, and their children, Brooke (Tony) Brayton, Derek (Liz) Cibula and Britni Cibula (Mike McVeigh) and great-grandchildren, Everett and Eloise Cibula and Keegan and Dillon Brayton; his daughter Jan (Matt) Vellinga of Urbandale and their daughter, Jordan (Connor) McCuen and great-granddaughter Blakely McCuen; his step-sons, Dave (Cindy Meyer) Hanson of Stanwood, Iowa, and Kevin (Marianne) Hanson of Phoenix; his step-grandchildren, Nicholas Hanson, Mitchell (Kate) Hanson and Anthony (Kali) Hanson; his step-great-grandchildren, Walker and Dixie Hanson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Zmolek, in February 2021; parents, Peter and Mary Zmolek; brother, Stan Zmolek; sisters, Rose Wacha, Rita Green and Dorothy Zmolek; and niece, Bonnie Nyhus.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Tim Johnson officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone. Interment will be at Linwood Park Cemetery following the Mass. Ray’s wish is for you to dress casually in your favorite college team attire.
Ray’s family extends their gratitude to the staff at Eastern Star Masonic Home and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorials in Ray’s memory may be directed to the family to use at their discretion. Arrangements are under the direction of Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 515-432-4550.
