Raymond D. Cermak

Raymond Donald Cermak, 69, of Des Moines, died suddenly at home on Saturday, May 9, 2020, of natural causes. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave, Des Moines. We kindly ask you to be mindful of your time greeting the family as we must work within the Covid-19 restrictions. Burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave, Des Moines will take place following the visitation.

Ray was born on January 18, 1951 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Robert and Ethel (Jacobs) Cermak. He graduated from LDF High School in 1969 and from Iowa State University with a psychology degree in 1973. His career in the insurance industry with Dial, Norwest, and Wells Fargo spanned over 30 years. He raised three daughters in Carlisle during his marriage to Julie Bruster Cermak.

He married Ruth White on December 1, 2006. He and Ruth enjoyed hosting dinners for their large blended family. Ray was a grill master, and his main hobby was BBQing and smoking meats. Every year for Christmas dinner he would try a different prime rib recipe, but as a perfectionist, always thought he could do a little better. He could always be counted on for long conversations and sage advice, and his sense of humor and contagious laugh peppered family gatherings with upbeat energy. He was a planner, and his love of lists was a frequent topic of good-natured teasing.

Ray had been retired since 2010. Shortly after retirement, he felt called to volunteer with the food pantry at DSM First, where he and Ruth attended church services. He became an integral part of that ministry as coordinator, and continued his involvement up until the morning of his passing.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Des Moines; daughters, Ashleigh Cermak of Carlisle, Alison (Jason) Eernisse of Ames, Adriana (Casey) Elmore of Carlisle; step-children, Erin (Matt) McKinney of Des Moines, Emily (Tunde) Arilewola of Des Moines, Jordan (Ashley) Stokka of Des Moines; grandchildren, Emerson Eernisse, Parker Swigert, Will Stokka, Jordyn Stokka; sister, Loretta Cermak of Ferguson; brother, Roger (Deanna) Cermak of Mabank, TX; parents-in-law, Agnes (White) Johnson (Wally) of Milaca, MN; nieces, Wendi Howes and family of Portsmouth, RI and Catlin Cermak of Pflugerville, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Ezra Erickson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DSM First to be designated for the Food Pantry.

We are grateful for his lifetime of unconditional love and support. We all love him, miss him, and though the void he leaves can never be filled, he will live on in our hearts always. We look forward to the day we join him in the presence of Jesus.

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