Dorothy J. Ray
April 2, 1925 - April 26, 2015
From: Nevada, IA
Dorothy Jean (Martin) Ray, 90, of Nevada passed away at the Israel Hospice House on Sunday, April 26, 2015.
Dorothy was born in Ames, Iowa, on April 2, 1925, to the late William and Helen Martin. Dorothy graduated from Ames High School in 1942. On April 22, 1944, she married Charles Gardner Ray, Jr., who was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. The Ray's moved to Nevada in December 1947, where they raised their three children, Charles, Linda and Shelley.
In March of 1951, Charles was recalled to active duty and the family moved first to Michigan, then to Ohio; in 1952, upon Charles’ station to Korea, Dorothy returned home to Nevada with the children. Post-war, Charles attended watch-making school and in 1960, he and Dorothy purchased and operated the Nevada branch of Ray’s Jewelry, a family business, until moving into the home-building business. The Ray Addition in north Nevada is part of Charles’ and Dorothy’s legacy in the community. Dorothy also worked for the R. H. Donnelly Company and retired from there in 1973.
Throughout her 60+ years in Nevada, Dorothy was a beloved member of the community and active in numerous organizations, including the Nevada Women’s Club, as a volunteer for the Story County Hospital, a Girl Scout leader and a member of P.E.O. Through her sense of humor and kindheartedness, she amassed countless friends of all ages.
Dorothy is survived by three children; Charles (Bert Ann) Ray, of Nevada; Linda (Richard) Fry, of Largo, Florida; and Shelley (Andrew) Murphy, of Nevada. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Steven, Michele, Christopher, Andrew, Jr., and Kathleen, and two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Nathan.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, a sister, Mary Logsdon; two brothers, William Martin and Richard Martin; and an infant grandson, Michael Rogers.
A viewing will be held at Ryan’s Funeral Home between 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2015. The funeral will take place at Memorial Lutheran Church on Friday, May 1, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following the service Dorothy will be buried next to her husband in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. After the family returns from the cemetery following a brief ceremony, a luncheon will be served.
Condolences
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 11:18 AM
“Our sincerest sympathies to your family with the passing of your beautiful Mother-Grangmother. She had a long , wonderful life. ”
- Dean and Cindi Dueland
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 11:18 AM
“Lynn, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. We did not find out until after the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope we can get together soon. With sincere sympathy, Rick and Gail Lund”
- Rick and Gail Lund
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“Our most sincere sympathy to you Shelley and your family on the passing of your mom. You are a wonderful friend and we hurt along with you. Rely on your Faith that she is now at Peace with your dad in His loving arms. The Ray family has been a loved and respected pillar of the Nevada community. Be thankful for all the years you had together and cherish the memories with her. Your mom lives on through you.”
- Mark and Judi Settle
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. Your entire family is in my thoughts. ”
- Nancy Howard
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“Fred and I are so sorry for your tremendous loss. Cherish those precious memories.”
- Fred and Linda Stoeffler
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“Dear Shelley and family,
A heartfelt prayer for you and your family that you may feel your mother's presence ever more in the coming days and years to come and may she be a source of much consolation as you experience her physical absence.
Love,
Gary Guthrie”
- Gary Guthei
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“Sending my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Dorothy...she will be missed.
Sincerely, Cindy (Stark) Otto”
- Cindy Otto
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“My Condolences to the family of Dorothy. She was a wonderful lady and I enjoyed getting to know her through P.E.O. and as a friend of Murphy family. Her beautiful smile will be missed. ”
- Glenda Swegle
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. No words can comfort your sorrow and pain. Dorothy will find an everlasting peace with the Lord and will live in your memories forever. Godspeed Dorothy! Richard L. Foster”
- Richard L. Foster
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 1:17 PM
“I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dorothy. She was such a sweet lady, and was always so pleasant to be around! May the wonderful memories of a great mom and grandmother overcome your sadness! Take care and know we are thinking of all of you!! Laura and Family”
- Laura Martin
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 11:33 AM
“Monica and I are so sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. Our sincere condolences to Chuck, Linda, Shelley and all of the family. We have lost one of Nevada's finest ladies!
”
- Murray and Monica Lounsberry
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 10:05 AM
“So sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing. She was truly a wonderful Nevada lady, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family (especially Linda, my classmate from NHS.)
God give you all peace:)
Vicki”
- Vicki (Christy) Schnack
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