Albert Rammelsberg

ALBERT EDWIN RAMMELSBERG

Cedar Rapids

Albert Edwin Rammelsberg, 67, of Des Moines, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, from complications of heart surgery at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Services will be 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Springville United Methodist Church in Springville. Al's ashes will be kept and cherished. When it is time for his wife to join him in spirit, their ashes will be combined and scattered in the ocean. Many of their happiest days were spent near the beach.

Survivors include his wife, Inez Rammelsberg; children, Brandi, Calise, Donna and Josh; brother, Ralph; sisters, Carol, Dorothy, Mary Ann and Renea; his mother, Laurel; his father-in-law, John; a dear family friend, Pam, and her daughters, April and Christina; and granddaughter, Natasha.

He was preceded in death by his niece, Rita; his brother, Claire; and his father, James.

Albert was born to James and Laurel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At 17, he enlisted in the Marines and later in the Navy. He was wounded when the USS Liberty was attacked. During his time of service he earned a Purple Heart, a Sharp Shooter medal and several other honors.

When his time of service was complete, he worked for decades as a truck driver. During this time he was able to see many of the wonders of our country.

Due to lingering complications from his military injuries, he was forced to retire early. He spent the last several years traveling around the country with his greatest love and wife, Inez.

In recent years, they had settled in Des Moines, but still visited their many friends met along the way.