Ray Alan Iben

Ray Alan Iben, 72, was welcomed at his Father's Heavenly gates by his baby girl Shalene Rae, his only grandson Relic Ray, his mother Lois Jean, and the man who guided him through life, Haddie Collins. Ray passed away suddenly in his home Sunday morning. Visitation will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Viola United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow at Wilcox Cemetery in Fairview, Iowa.

Born February 23, 1954, at St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids to Roy Bernard Iben and Lois Jean Bean. A 1972 graduate of Anamosa High School, Ray first worked as a welder before spending many years in the car business. He later retired from Springville Ready Mix, enjoying his retirement alongside his best friend, Linda, on countless outings. Ray fell in love with his soulmate, Linda Sue Roeglin, when she “needed" groceries carried out while working at Westphal's grocery store. The two love birds married June 26, 1976, and celebrated their 50th anniversary this past summer. Together they had three daughters, Shalene Rae (Bird), Patience Carlson (Buck), and Tamarah Iben (Bear).

He loved spending time with family and friends, making everyone laugh with his great humor, never having a dull moment. In younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, dune buggy rides, and dancing at Prairieburg with Linda at his side. He attended every one of his daughter's games and school events, no matter the distance, always returning to work if needed-forever a devoted father.

He enjoyed time with loved ones riding four-wheelers, mud running, enjoying cabin life at Ivanhoe, boating the Cedar River to Sutliff, and riding his Harley-Davidson with a homemade coffin trailer to Algona, always getting a rise out of people. A lifelong member of the Viola Methodist Church, Ray went from attending Sunday school as a young boy to the groundskeeper.

Later in life, he enjoyed side-by-siding with their friends, hot rodding in his Barracuda, card club gatherings, and entertaining in his bin bar. His granddaughters never failed to bring a smile to his face as he teased, joked, and poked fun with them, attending all their activities. Ray's passing is a shock to many because of the great man he was, and he will be deeply missed by many.

This great man leaves behind his best friend, wife, Linda Iben, daughters, Patience (Jesse) Carlson, Tamarah Iben, Adler Shalene, "Pop's" bonus daughter (granddaughter); grandchildren, Ryan, Hayden, Joslyn and Emmersyn the “CarlsonCircus”; siblings, Royce Ann (Jeff) Pitlik, Linda Brink, Toni (Pat) Zenishek, Jodi (Mike) Eisher, and Bud (Cheryl) Iben; sister in-law, Betty Hunter; many nieces and nephews; and his extended family, The Collins'.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father figure, Haddie Collins; infant daughter, Shalene Rae; grandson, Relic Ray; and parents-in-law, Milo and Edna Roeglin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.