Lemaster, Verlin (1934-2014)

LEMASTER, HAMILTON, WIRTJES, HAUSCHILDT, WILSON, LYKOWSKI, OULMAN, SHEPPARD

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/13/2014 at 13:18:41

Verlin Lemaster
March 24, 1934 - October 24, 2014

Verlin Ray Lemaster, 80, of Buffalo Center, died on Friday, October 24, 2014, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

Verlin was born on March 24, 1934, in Lovilla, Iowa, the fourth of the six children of Harley Ray and Flossie Jeanette (Hamilton) Lemaster. Born without a left hip socket, he could not walk without depending on others for support for the first four years of his life. In March of 1939, a cutting-edge surgical procedure was performed in Iowa City, which created a new hip socket. The recovery and rehabilitation from the procedure was long and difficult. Through the experience Verlin learned the value of hard work, how not to give up, and the importance of helping others at a time when they most need it.

In November of 1939, the Lemaster family awoke to find their home in flames. Verlin and the others escaped through an upstairs window with only the clothes on their backs. They lost their house and all their possessions. Family, friends, and the entire local community immediately rallied around the Lemaster family. From that experience, Verlin learned about loss, what really mattered, and the importance of community. In the early 1940s, the family moved from Moravia, Iowa, to a dairy farm located southwest of Thompson, Iowa, where Verlin attended a nearby country school, often riding his horse to school. Later, he attended Thompson High School. Afterwards, he initially drove a gravel truck and then worked for the Buffalo Center Creamery, picking up canned milk from the dairy farms.

Verlin Ray married Violet Ruth Wirtjes, a Lakota girl, on April 20, 1956, at the Ramsey Reformed Church. Four children were born to this union: Vernel Ryan, in 1959, Valerie Ranae, in 1960, Verdean Ray, in 1962, and Vonda Ruth, in 1965.

In 1958, Verlin began a home dairy delivery service and became known to many as their milkman. His customers were from Buffalo Center, Thompson, Woden, Titonka, Lakota, Ledyard, Swea City, Elmore, Frost, and Rake. He continued the home delivery for fifty-years, eventually retiring officially in 2008.

Verlin is most recently remembered as the owner of the original Casey’s General Store on Highway 9 and the Mill Road; which opened in 1978. He relished being a part of the business community and, whenever possible, supported community efforts.

Verlin had a lifelong love of horses. Since the 1960s he had one or several around continually. Even though they lived in town, his children grew up with Shetland ponies and quarter horses. Later, he adopted wild mustangs and a few donkeys. They were a great source of joy, and at every opportunity, he would talk “horses” with whomever would listen. Neighbors may still hear a distant baying from his beloved donkey, Junebug, in the southeast corner of town.

A man of prayer and a life measured actions, Verlin used the Bible as his plumb line. He had strong convictions and the courage to stand firm on them. He believed he was placed on this earth to help others. Indeed, he enjoyed people. He made afternoon coffee with the guys his lifeline. He had an insatiable and sincere curiosity, and those talks and the friendships that developed over coffee at the barbershop and deli meant a great deal to him.

Verlin is survived by Violet, his wife of fifty-eight years; his sons, Vernel, of Lonsdale, Minnesota, and Verdean, of Farmington, Minnesota; his daughters, Valerie (Steve) Hauschildt, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and Vonda (Craig) Wilson, of Apple Valley, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Kyler (Samantha) and Riley Hauschildt; Lindsey, Mikaela, and Reid Wilson; and Gabriella and Christian Lemaster; his great-granddaughter, Aryana Lykowski; and his sisters, Marlene (Ray) Oulman, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Gwendolyn Sheppard, of Albia, Iowa; as well as by many treasured nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Darrell, Vernon, and Dale.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, at the First Reformed Church, Buffalo Center, with Pastor Bill Peake officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, at the church and one hour before the service.

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