Kaye Ray

Kaye Ray, 76, of Fort Dodge, IA went to her heavenly on Thursday, May 6th, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle of cancer. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm, Friday May 14th at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Celebration of life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 15th at First United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge with Pastor Andrea Kraushaar officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at North Lawn Cemetery. Survivors include her loving husband Ralph Ray of almost 59 years; son, Jeff Ray of Fort Dodge; daughters Loree (Todd) Lee of Fort Dodge and Jody (Ken) Ekstrom of Fort Dodge, also adopted daughter Sonia from Peru; grandchildren Jaymie (Merle) Ray, Julie Ray, Jaycie Jacobson, Mathieu Ekstrom, Chris (Carmen) Ray, Cody Ray, Kyzen "Kailyn" Ekstrom, Jenna Lee, and Heather Liska; great grandchildren Jayden, Jaelynn, Kailyn, Hailey, Cali, Braelyn, Ryder, and Raelynn; brother Jim (Diane) Georg; nieces and nephews Jenny Georg, Staci (Shawn) Adam, Nick (April) Babbitt, Curt (Kindra) Babbitt, and Brett Georg; sister in-law Elaine Georg and Carla Robeson; half siblings Donna (Donald) Kirsch, Patricia Axness, Clifford (Nancy) Axness, Karen (Duane) Kirsch. She also left behind her lifelong, close friend and cousin Judy Groat. Last and definitely not least all her dogs. Many other nieces, nephews, and cousins were also left behind. She was preceded in death by her mother Loretta Georg, father Irving Axness, adoptive father Alvin Georg, and little brother David Babbitt. Loretta "Kaye" Axness was born March 7th, 1945 to Irving Axness and Loretta McLuckie in Fort Dodge. Alvin Georg later adopted her. She attended school in Fort Dodge and later moved to Gilmore City where she lived with her aunt and uncle Florence and Leo Linder. On June 17th, 1962 she was united in marriage to Ralph Ray at Riverside Methodist Church in Fort Dodge. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge. She worked at Global Union, Casey's and Friendship Haven. She left Friendship Haven to focus on her family and take care of her mother, and a few short years later, her brother. At that time she became a homemaker that would give Betty Crocker a run for her money. She was a wonderful cook/baker and always ready to have a conversation either on the phone or at the dining room table. She collected many things including cookbooks, rocking horses, Boyd bears, and porcelain dolls. Hours were spent ''collecting" anything she liked from QVC. Any stray kid or dog that would come through her front door were always welcome and made to feel at home. She had a heart that was bigger than life and an old soul that was centered around her family. This created a close family that she influenced with a firm hand if needed and a soft shoulder when necessary. Her family, and of course, her beloved dogs meant the world to her and she would stop at nothing to protect them. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family Service Fri, May 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Sat, May 15, 2021 at 11:00 am First United Methodist 127 North 10th Street Fort Dodge, IA 50501