BOONE, Iowa—Jacquelyn “Jackye” Lou Ray, 96, a resident of the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, died peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2023, at home. Jackye was born on November 25, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Jack and Margaret (Wilen) Reid. She was raised in Boone, graduating in 1945 from Boone High School. Jackye attended Iowa State University, majoring in Textiles and Clothing. She spent a year working in San Francisco before returning to Boone to work for a local doctor. On September 7, 1952, she married Dale Ray, a local restaurateur. Jackye and Dale were married nearly 50 years when he passed away in 2000. For more than 26 years, Jackye worked as an office manager for Hallett’s Construction Company, retiring in 1984.
Jackye was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 80 years, serving on many boards and committees through the years. She also served as the Vice-Adjutant of the Iowa Ex-Prisoners of War Organization, as well as being a 75-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Jackye was an accomplished artist and seamstress. She was a grand lady, who loved to entertain, and she did it with great flair. Jackye and Dale wintered in South Padre Island, TX, for more than 15 years, where they met many life-long friends. Jackye was tiny in stature, but big in style, always dressed “to the nines” and expertly accessorized. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who all affectionately referred to her as the “Little Grandma.”
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Gretta (Dan) Geneser and Tab (Marge) Ray; grandchildren Todd (Katy) Geneser, Jamie (Shanda Boone) Geneser, Adam (Stephanie) Geneser, Jennifer (John) Parscal, Jasper (Karen) Ray and Kelsey (Ben Norris) Christeson; great-grandchildren Julianne Geneser, Hayden Parscal, Grey Geneser, Samuel Parscal, Jacob Geneser, Evelyn Parscal, Violet Geneser, John Thomas Geneser, Brooklyn Geneser, Elin Christeson, Stella Geneser, Theo Christeson, Lily Ray and Luca Norris.
Jackye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dale, and her great-granddaughter, Hannah.
In agreement with her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Schroeder Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 Seventh Street in Boone. A Celebration of Life will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Adam Gordon officiating. The family would like to invite everyone to Cedar Pointe Golf Course, 601 S. Cedar Street, Boone, IA, for a time of lunch and fellowship immediately following the Celebration of Life.
Jackye will be interned next to Dale at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a later date.
The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Hannah Geneser Foundation in memory of Jackye’s great-granddaughter.
Online at www.HannahGeneserFoundation.org, OR
Hannah Geneser Foundation
650 S. Prairie View Drive, Suite 125
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Online condolences can be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
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