October marks National Employee Ownership Month, a time to acknowledge the significance of employee ownership and its positive impact on employees, communities, and customers alike. At Des Moines Winterset Memorials, we are proud to be a part of the Rayser Holdings community—a 100% employee-owned company—and we celebrate the benefits and values that employee ownership brings to our team and those we serve.

What Employee Ownership Means

Being employee-owned means that every team member has a stake in the company. Each employee-owner contributes to the business’s success and shares in the rewards of that success. This model fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and pride. Decisions are made with the collective benefit in mind, creating a workplace where everyone has a voice and a vested interest in the outcome.

At Des Moines Winterset Memorials, employee ownership translates into a team that is deeply invested in our mission: to honor the lives of loved ones through lasting, meaningful memorials. From assisting families in selecting a memorial to crafting and installing monuments, our employee-owners approach each task with care, dedication, and the knowledge that their work directly impacts our customers and community.

The Impact on Our Team and Community

Employee ownership empowers our team members in ways that extend far beyond the workplace. Research indicates that employee-owned companies tend to exhibit higher job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and increased productivity. For our team, this means a stronger sense of purpose and a shared commitment to excellence.

This shared ownership also benefits our local community. As employee-owners, we are more likely to invest in community initiatives, support local businesses, and contribute to economic growth in the areas we serve. At Des Moines Winterset Memorials, this commitment to community is reflected in how we approach our work—with compassion, care, and a focus on providing a meaningful service to the families we serve.

Serving Our Customers with Pride

As an employee-owned company, every interaction with our customers is personal and purposeful. Each employee-owner takes pride in ensuring that every memorial we create is crafted with the highest level of quality and attention to detail. Our customers don’t just receive a product—they experience a team that is fully engaged, invested, and dedicated to helping families honor their loved ones in a lasting and meaningful way.

Celebrating Together

This National Employee Ownership Month, we celebrate our employee-owners and the positive culture they help build at Des Moines Winterset Memorials. Being part of a 100% employee-owned company like Rayser Holdings is more than a business model—it’s a commitment to collaboration, community, and excellence.

We are proud to honor the hard work, dedication, and passion of our employee-owners, and we are grateful to serve families across Iowa with the care and respect they deserve. Employee ownership strengthens our team, our community, and the experience we provide to our customers—truly making a lasting impact.