Ralph Vasey

Ralph Vasey, 79, of Winterset, Iowa, died Sunday, July 21, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel with Pastor John Rhoades officiating. Burial will be in the Peru Cemetery at Peru, Iowa. Ralph was born on November 5, 1939, at Truro, Iowa to Ivan and Eva (Smith) Vasey. He grew up in the Truro area and was a 1959 graduate of I-35 High School. In January of 1961, Ralph entered the US Army for a two year period of service. While still in the military, he married Betty Freeborn on September 9, 1962 at Indianola, Iowa. He had farmed most of his life as well as having worked at Marrett Edwards, Reeds Elevator in Truro, and having retired from Diamond Laboratory after 16 years of work. Ralph enjoyed life in general and spending time with his family. He held wiener roasts, enjoyed hayrack rides, loved playing a marble game called Aggravation, and was an avid card player. Being outdoors was another trait of Ralph’s. Those things included hunting, fishing, feeding the birds, and especially taking care of his lawn (as well as his homestead). Some pastimes included watching boxing, making puzzles and projects such as birdhouses, and riding the Model T or his Farmall tractor in parades. Ralph was a hard working man who always had time to help others. Ralph is survived by his wife, Betty Vasey; children, David (Karen) Vasey, and Dana (Scott) Vasey; brothers, Charles and Judy Vasey, Bob and Connie Vasey, Steve and Marcia Vasey; sisters, Ruby and DeVere Adamson, Alice and Larry Champlin, Jan and Max Miller, Betty and Bob Griffiths, Bonnie and John Groth, Mary Wenck, and Susan Liston; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Eva (Smith) Vasey; daughter, Diane Kay Vasey; sister, Shirley Appenzeller; and great grandson, Rylan Curnett. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 PM. Memorials may be given to the family for a future designation. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrishcom.