Raymond Gerald Meulpolder was born July 30, 1933, to Stoffel and Johanna (Zweedyk) Meulpolder in Mahaska County, Iowa. He died November 29, 2016, at The Cottages in Pella.

Ray attended country school through 8th grade, and was a 1951 graduate of Pella Community High School.

Ray met Donna Crozier at a square dance and they were married on May 15, 1955, in Knoxville. To this union they were blessed with three daughters, Joleen, Janiece, and Joyce. He joined the Army in September 1955, at Fort Riley, Kansas. Ray was assistant machine gunner in company A of the division's 18th regiment. After his military career, Ray returned to the family farm to begin his farming career. He also drove a livestock truck and later worked for Pella Corporation and the Pella Community Schools. He retired in 1995.

Ray loved to attend sports and musical events of his grandchildren. He enjoyed creating and selling crafts. He was in partnership with Donna – he cut it out and she painted it. Ray also had a big place in his heart for his pets. He could always be found feeding his cats or walking his best friend, Buddy.

Ray enjoyed attending church whether it be at Third Reformed Church or at The Cottages. He had a quiet faith and was a faithful man. Ray was also a gentleman who loved to serve coffee and mingle with his friends.

Ray is survived by his wife Donna, children Joleen and Eldon Louwsma, Janiece and Ken Van Woerkom, Joyce and Andre Chollet, twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sister Gardenia Van Vark, and brothers and sisters-in-law: Keith and Marge Crozier, Carolyn and Perry Klein, Luetta Crozier, and Ron Henning.

He was preceded in death by his parents, great granddaughter Julia Roberts in infancy, his siblings: Peter and Marie Meulpolder, Nellie and Charles Moore, Jean and Gerald Terpstra, Johanna and Wilbur Van Ee, and Helen and George Van Vark, and brothers and sisters-in-law: William and Jeanette Crozier, Patricia Henning, and Francis Van Vark..

Visitation

1:00 P.M., Friday, December 2, 2016
5:00 – 7:00 P.M., With Family Present
Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa

Funeral Service

10:30 A.M., Saturday, December 3, 2016
Third Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

Memorials

Alzheimer's Association

Family

Wife: Donna Meulpolder, Pella
Children: Joleen and Eldon Louwsma, Fremont
Janiece and Ken Van Woerkom, Pella
Joyce and Andre Chollet, Lancaster, Ontario