Ramon Smith

Ramon Smith, 92, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at his home.

Ramon Lester Smith was born to Edward and Elva (Reed) Smith, in rural Griswold, Iowa, on February 10, 1931.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Griswold High School in the Class of 1950.  Ramon enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in November of 1951, serving until his honorable discharge in 1953.

On September 18, 1955, he was united in marriage to Jean Martha Walker at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Adair County, Iowa.  He was baptized and confirmed on January 22, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church where he had become a member and was active through the years, serving on various committees.

Ramon worked for 38 years at Walnut Grove Products in various positions which included being a laboratory technician, supervisor, laboratory manager and, eventually, Chief Microscopic.  During his employment with Walnut Grove, he taught many classes at Iowa State University on the use of microscopes for feed analytics.  Ramon retired in 1991.

Ramon enjoyed gardening, biking and refinishing furniture.  Spending time with friends, playing cards, dominos and square dancing were things that he and Jean looked forward to doing together.  In his later years, he cherished each moment with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Ramon will always be remembered as a humble, kind and caring husband, father and friend.    

Ramon is survived by his wife, Jean (Walker) Smith; daughter, Sherrie (David) Marousek; sons, Terry (Lacy) Smith and Douglas (Colleen) Smith; grandchildren, Ashley (Pete) Messerli, Robert Marousek, Sarah Jones, Andrew (Caitlin) Thompson Smith, Kyle (Johanna) Smith, and Byron (fiancé, Elizabeth) Smith; great-grandchildren, Taylor Messerli, Logan Messerli, Edith Jones, and Christopher Smith; sisters, Helen Gregerson and Doris Webster; brothers, Gordon Smith and Edward (Jolene) Smith; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elva; brothers, George Smith, Carlton Smith, Basil Smith, and Donald Smith; sister, Karen Smith; brothers-in-law, Howard Gregerson and William Webster; and sisters-in-law, Carol Smith and Ethel Smith.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service, Thursday, December 21^st at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 21^st at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.  Burial will be at the Atlantic Cemetery following the luncheon, with full military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ramon’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.