Raymond Clifford Cousins, formerly of Elkader, Iowa, November 8, 2017

Raymond Clifford Cousins Jr., 84, died Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the V.A. Central Iowa Health Care System, Des Moines Iowa. Ray was born in Elkader, IA to Raymond Sr. and Edith Cousins.  He graduated from Elkader High School.  After high school, he served in the Air Force from August 1953-July 1957, where he was stationed in Germany working in electronic communications maintenance.

Ray was united in marriage to Sharon Kay Kramer on November 2, 1958. They had three children, Stanley, Urbandale, IA; Sherri (Johnson), Cedar Rapids, IA; and Jeffrey, San Antonio, TX.

Early in their marriage, they lived in Cedar Rapids, where Ray worked for Sears & Roebuck in various departments including sewing machine repair.  In 1972, they moved back to Elkader after purchasing a farm near LaNelle and Arthur Elvers (Sharon’s parents). During that time, both Sharon and Ray worked for the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department as dispatchers. He started his own business in 1976 doing sewing machine repair in the Bries Mini Mall.

After selling the farm, they moved to Mt Vernon until Sharon’s death in 1993. Ray moved to Greene, IA, then to Des Moines, IA and lived in the Senior Housing, Plymouth Place.  In 2009, a stroke forced Ray into assisted care. Ending with 5 years of living at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA.

Ray’s love for electronics kept him busy throughout his life in Ham Radio, CB Radio, and Computers.

He is survived by: Children: Stan, Jeff & Sherri; Grandchildren: Justin Cousins, Matt Cousins, Danielle (River) Bennett, Stephanie Johnson, Austin McElroy, and Abby McElroy; Great Grandchildren: Connor, Faith and Everett Bennett

Ray is preceded in death by: Wife – Sharon on 10-14-93, Sisters- Janice (Roy) Baker, Dorothy Iliff and Parents – Raymond Sr. and Edith.

Family and Friends are invited to visitation/lunch at Elkader Bowling Alley Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 11:30 AM.  Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at East Side Cemetery, Elkader, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elkader, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.



Share this:

Grau Funeral Homes has been honored to serve the families and loved ones of these individuals. By presenting this information we hope to assist those close to these families with planning for their service. If you have questions or comments about any of the information found on this page, please let us know by email or telephone.