Memorials: Grinnell Christian Church Richard Wayne Van Draska was born the son of Arthur and Eleanor (Peterson) Van Draska on October 1, 1925, in Tama, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Grinnell, Iowa. R.W. was united in marriage to Dorothy Revea Vieth on June 11, 1971 in Grinnell. The couple resided in Grinnell following their marriage. R.W. was employed with R.D. Stewart Construction Company for over 20 years. R.W. dearly loved his grandchildren and he held a special love for his dog Bandit. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed camping and fishing, especially at Diamond Lake near Montezuma. He was a race fan and he traveled down to Florida annually to watch the Daytona 500 with his friends. His other enjoyments included solving puzzles, traveling, and gambling at Meskwaki Casino in Tama. R.W. is survived by his children, Carol Vaughn of Bloomfield, Iowa and Linda (Gael) Doane of Grinnell; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; his sisters, Ruth (Jim) Waller of Mesquite, Texas, Donna (Ray) Meldrem of Grinnell, Shirley (Loy) Frasier of Mineola, Texas, and Helen O'Brien of Huntington Beach, California; and his brother, Jim (Sandy) Van Draska of Grinnell. R.W. died Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Friendship Manor Care Center in Grinnell. He was 83 years of age and was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Revea Van Draska on June 11, 1996; his son, Leonard Vanderveer on May 6, 1994; and his brother, Dale Van Draska on May 7, 1951.