Ransom Randall

Ransom H. Randall, age 89, of Cedar Rapids, joined his wife, Kay, and son, Adam, in the House of Our Lord surrounded by his family at his home on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Funeral Service: 12 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2016, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Casual attire is appropriate for guests attending the funeral. Ransom Harold Randall was born September 2, 1926, in Mason City, IA, the son of Roy and Minnie (Fistler) Randall, one of four boys and five girls. He grew up in Osage, IA and left to serve his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. As a Staff Sergeant in the 32nd Infantry Division, Ransom served on Okinawa and in Korea in the Pacific Theater through the end of the war. He later became a Life Member of the American Legion Post 727 as well as a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 788 in Cedar Rapids. Upon his return from the service, Ransom married Kathryn (Kay) Schwab on September 20, 1947, in Osage where their three children, Mike, Sue and Adam were born. He worked in construction in the Osage area where he was a partner in the Randall Construction Company. The family later moved to Cedar Rapids, where Ransom continued working in construction as a plasterer. Ransom was a lifelong member of the Operative Plasterers' And Cement Masons' International Association Local 018 and the Painters & Drywall Finishers Local Union 676. He was a Superintendent for Allied Construction Services, Inc. for many years until his retirement. Ransom dearly loved his family and was completely devoted to them. He was positively overjoyed with each new addition to the family and loved to hold the babies. He was also a big fan of high school and college wrestling. Ransom is survived by his son, Mike (Paulette) Randall; daughter, Sue (Thomas) Elias; brother, Dave (Dorothy) Randall of Osage; sisters, Ruth Molstad and Rose Tobin of Mason City, Doris (Dale) Erickson of Minneapolis, and Beverly (Edward) Boehmer of Osage; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathryn; infant son, Adam; brothers, Merle and Earl; sister Mildred (Moore); and brothers-in-law Dean Molstad, James Tobin, and Chuck Moore. Ransom's family wishes to thank Dr. Kenneth Cearlock, his entire staff, and UnityPoint Hospice for their dedicated care and compassion during Ransom's illness.