Ray E. Whitmore, 89 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Le Mars Bible Church. Burial will follow at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Le Mars Bible Church. Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Ray Emerson Whitmore was born in Clutier, Iowa to Floyd and Ruth (Emerson) Whitmore and he was raised on their family farm. Ray graduated from Toledo High School where he participated in all sports and was captain of the football team. Ray joined the United States Army in March of 1953 and was honorably discharged in March of 1955. Ray served during the Korean Conflict and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Ray was united in marriage to Vivian Yetter; they had five children and later divorced.

Ray attended Iowa State University where he graduated with a degree in Dairy Science and a teaching certificate in vocational agriculture. At ISU, he was the secretary of the Agriculture Education Club, sang in the men's glee club, and worked part time for the dairy science department. After graduating in three years, Ray began working at BGM Community School in Brooklyn, Iowa where he taught vocational education classes and was active in their FFA chapter. Ray then worked for 13 years at Iowa State University in the Dairy Science and Extension where he worked with the Iowa Dairy Herd Improvement program and other dairy programs. He also completed graduate courses during this time. Ray also was self employed while raising diversified livestock: dairy cows, hogs, beef cattle, sheep, and quarter horses.

Ray was united in marriage to Teresa (Reno) Ashburn on August 10, 1985 in Story City, Iowa. Ray and Teresa later moved to Remsen, Iowa where Ray worked as the vocational agriculture instructor at Remsen Union Community School. Many of his students have kept in touch and commented on how much they learned from him. Ray also drove school bus for Gehlen Catholic and Le Mars Community Schools.

Ray was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He was an usher at Emanual Lutheran Church in Story City and was a long-time member of the Le Mars Bible Church in Le Mars.

Ray is survived by his wife of 37 years, Teresa; seven children: Kevin Whitmore, Kent (Donna) Whitmore, Kim (Doug) Finley, Kirk Whitmore, Kyle Whitmore, Jodi Ashburn McGonigle, and Laura 'Lori' Ashburn; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and numerous extended relatives.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jean (Bob) Dostal; brother, Paul Whitmore; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.