Obituaries : Vaylard Lloyd Zupke

Our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, Vaylard Lloyd Zupke, 94, died peacefully at his home in rural Randalia on March 2, 2022. Vaylard, son of Carl and Eva (Paul) Zupke was born on August 4, 1927 near Sumner in Chickasaw County, Iowa. After high school graduation from Miltonvale Wesleyan College in Kansas, he entered the Navy near the end of World War II. He married Lorna Ruth Durey on December 4, 1947 at the Fayette Wesleyan Church.

After serving in the Navy, Vaylard attended Houghton College in Houghton, NY to study engineering. In 1949, Vaylard and Lorna transitioned back to Randalia, IA after his father, Carl, was in an accident involving a dump truck and train. Vaylard never returned to college, but his engineering mind continued designing solutions for Zupke Sand and Gravel and for Zupke Redi-Mix, which he and Carl started in 1955. The Redi-Mix was sold when Carl retired in 1964. Vaylard owned and operated Zupke Sand and Gravel. His son Stephen joined him in 1990 and the business was sold in 2020.

First and foremost, Vaylard labored to love and serve his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a godly man of great faith and a dedicated servant of our Lord. He surrendered his life to God as a teenager and lived his life joyfully confident of his salvation. As he would share, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children", Romans 8:16. Vaylard left a legacy of knowing and sharing God's Word. He rarely missed an opportunity to share his faith and would often say, "Do you know Jesus loves you?" Like Abraham of the Old Testament, Vaylard sought to bring glory to God and make it easier for others to follow his Savior.

Survivors include his 2 daughters - Deborah (David) McCormick of Shellsburg, IA and Lois (Randy) Byars of Lexington, SC, and 5 sons - Mark (Ruth) of Logan, MN; Andrew (Marilyn) of Wenatchee, WA; Jon (Debra) of Larrabee, IA; Sam (Margo) of Lakeville, MN and Stephen (Ann) of Randalia, IA. Vaylard has 32 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. A verse that Vaylard would often share is from III John verse 4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Vaylard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorna; son, Daniel Jay; grandson, Timothy Zupke; and sister, Darlene Gruetzmacher.

A family graveside service was March 5 followed by a visitation for the community from 4-7 p.m. at Faith Evangelical Church, 1104 N Railroad, Sumner, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 19th at the Sumner-Fredericksburg High School Auditorium, 802 West Sixth Street Sumner, Iowa at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made at Samaritan's Purse for Ukraine at https://rebrand.ly/SamaritansPurseUkraine.

The Sumner Becker & Son Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. Cards may be sent to 17963 150th Street, Randalia IA 52164.