Raymond Voss

Raymond Gerald “ Ray” Voss, 82, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at his home.

As per his request his body will be donated to the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society.

Ray was born December 24, 1928 in Davenport, Iowa the son of Emory Raymond and Beatrice Anne (Peisch) Voss. He served his country in the United States Navy enlisting when he was seventeen. He was united in marriage to Lovetta M. Miller in Davenport, Iowa on January 7, 1950. He was later married to Muriel Samuelson Asplund in East Moline, Illinois on November 17, 1979.

Ray was a co-owner and operator of Lenker-Voss Manufacturing and Development Company, Eldridge, Iowa and Eagle Valley Manufacturing Company, Eldridge, Iowa.

He was a long time member and past president of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society, a former member and president of the Illowa Gem and Mineral Society and a member of the Catfish Jazz Society.

He enjoyed jazz music, rock and fossil collecting, inventing and working on his house. He was a skilled machinist and craftsman and was very entrepreneurial.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Muriel, Bettendorf, Iowa, his daughters, Regina (John) Brennan, Dubuque, Iowa and Shelley (Brian) Trunnell, Bettendorf, Iowa; his sons, Ray Jeffrey (Jane) Voss, Walcott, Iowa, Ross Joseph Voss, Jerusalem, Israel, Mark Allen Voss, Davenport, Iowa and Matt Brian Voss, Davenport, Iowa, Mike (Sherry) Asplund, Moline, Illinois and Steve Asplund; his seven grandchildren and his brother, Tom (Violet) Voss, Middleton, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Rita Marie Voss.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Genesis Hospice for their kindness and care of their husband and father.