LeMar A. Koethe

LeMar Aaron Koethe, 81, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on September 2, 2025, surrounded by all his family and close loved ones. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, mentorship, and generosity.

Born and raised on a dairy farm amongst a large relation in Sherrill Mound near Dubuque, Iowa, LeMar learned the value of hard work and perseverance early in life — traits that guided him through a lifetime of business success, community involvement, and faithful service to Jesus Christ.

The family worked hard days in and out to run a 100 acre garden, milk the cows by hand, tend the eggs, and take them to market each morning. Always hosting the rotating intern pastors in their home to support and encourage them. The family’s week was based on Sunday church which they never missed. A natural with math, LeMar enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the “city slickers” at school even though he had to go back as a “farm boy” to his chores. Following high school, LeMar had four jobs at once: National Guard, Bayles Business College, insurance sales, and playing in the band with his brothers as The Koethe Melody Kings. They played regional ballrooms and notably a USO Tour on stage with Bob Hope, Brenda Lee, and The Everly Brothers.

A flier at college for an evening meeting to sell pots and pans door to door with Lifetime a Division of Westbend would change his life forever as he never looked back and knocked doors 15 years selling cookware and fine china. LeMar was high energy and dynamic and the stories from these days are for their own books. He came to Des Moines to start an office which they said couldn’t be done. He launched his own company with its own financing arm and quickly built a sales force that mirrored his drive. Though he had teams of salesmen under him, he consistently led from the front, topping the charts himself. From four regional offices he orchestrated an operation so dynamic and bold it could have been the storyline of a movie.

He then ran apartment rentals, strip malls, and took over a fitness facility to turn it around, which he did, and then found land for building 7Flags Racquet & Fitness Club. For the next 30 years he poured his energy into 7 Flags, expanding it into an event center that hosted concerts, U.S. Presidents, and countless community gatherings. Decades ahead of its time, 7 Flags championed preventative health and wellness long before it was mainstream. The club drew national attention — Oprah interviewed him, celebrities dropped by, and world-class boxers and tennis players visited its walls. LeMar himself never slowed down; his office buzzed with activity, his phone was always ringing, and he seemed to live in constant forward motion.

He met his beloved Jennifer in 2005. They were married in 2006 and welcomed Bay into the world in 2015. A devoted Father, LeMar’s greatest joy was his daughter, Bay, age 10, who he loved deeply. He adored being there for her every event and was so very proud of who she is and her God-given talents. Their bond was unshakable, and his love for her was evident to all who knew him. Although divorced in 2021, LeMar and Jennifer joyfully reconciled and remained committed to the Lord, family, and each other.

LeMar was a well-known businessman with a passion for buying land, building opportunities, and investing in people, yet his greatest passion was for the Kingdom of God. Above all, LeMar was devoted to Jesus Christ. For 30 years he faithfully led a Bible study, using every opportunity to share the hope of Jesus and encourage others to unlock their God-given potential. He had a rare gift for mentorship, always challenging those around him to pursue both excellence and faith. His mentoring of others, always keeping God in the center, will leave a lasting impact on countless lives.

LeMar thrived in land speculation and acquisitions and loved this “work” most of all. It was exactly what he wanted to be doing. LeMar’s high energy and passion for hard work served him well as a successful businessman. He had a lifelong zeal for business, land, and investing in his community.

Generous with his time and resources, LeMar was also a philanthropist who gave quietly and consistently to strengthen his community. He never sought recognition, but his impact will be felt for generations to come.

LeMar will be remembered as a man of integrity, vision, and compassion — truly one of a kind. His legacy of faith, love, and leadership will live on in his family, in the many lives he touched, and in the community he helped shape.

He is preceded by his parents Aaron and Olga Koethe, brother Eldon Koethe, and sister Darlene Koethe. He is survived by his beloved Jennifer, their daughter, Bay, brother Irvin (Lu) Koethe, brother Duane (Sarah) Koethe, extended family, and friends who are family.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at McLaren’s Resthaven, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa. Services to honor LeMar’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines, Iowa, with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Valley Church or Des Moines Christian School Foundation.