Representative Ray A. Yenter View All Years

RAY YENTER

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Ray Yenter, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Ray Yenter was born August 17, 1887. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Rose Flannery on November 24, 1915. To this union were born two daughters.

Mr. Yenter was graduated from Valparaiso University Law School in 1910 and was awarded an honorary degree from that university in 1970. He practiced law in Iowa City and Des Moines from 1920 until he was called for active duty in 1941. Representative Yenter was appointed Insurance Commissioner from 1926-1931, Director of World War II and Korean Bonus Boards, appointed Deputy State Auditor 1959-1965 and 1967-1977. He has held state offices in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, was Commander of Argonne Post, President of Pioneer Lawmakers, Director and Legal Counsel to Merchants Mutual Bonding Company for 45 years and retired as Iowa’s oldest employee at 89 years.

Mr. Yenter also served in the Mexican Border War of 1916 and in France during World War I as a Captain of 1st Cavalry 54th Regiment and later Battery F of the 126th Field Artillery. As a Major, he was asked to help reorganize the 113th Cavalry after World War I and commanded the 57th Brigade of the 24th Cavalry and the 75th Field Artillery as a Brigadier General. He retired as a Major General after 26 years in the Iowa National Guard and 6 years of active duty. He holds the distinction of being the last mounted horse cavalry General.

Representative Yenter, a Republican, served in the Thirty-ninth through the Forty-first General Assemblies, representing Johnson County.

Ray Yenter passed away October 24, 1979. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mary Lou McCreedy and Gwendolyn Yenter, both of Iowa City; a brother, Hubert Yenter of Westlaco, Texas; three sisters, Martha Baumer of Lone Tree, Iowa; Dorothy Connell of West Branch, Iowa; and Orpha Kruse of Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Ray Yenter, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JEAN LLOYD-JONES

MINNETTE DODERER

VICTOR STUELAND

Committee