Raymond Lens

Rock Rapids, IA Raymond Lens, age 74 of Luverne, MN, formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 at Sanford Hospital in Luverne, MN. A Memorial Mass will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 16th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, with Father Jeff Schleisman celebrating. Inurnment will follow at Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Monday, December 15th from 2:00 " 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids. There will be a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home Monday evening. Raymond V. Lens was born September 23, 1934 to Charles and Agatha (Underberg) Lens in rural Larchwood, Iowa. He received his education at St. Marys School in Larchwood. He and his family moved to Rock Rapids in 1951. Ray joined the United States Army and served in the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to Rock Rapids, he worked for Kooikers Chevrolet. He was married to Karen Brandt on November 24, 1958 in Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids. To this union five children were born. He went to work at Shortys Body Shop and when Shorty retired, Ray bought the business. He ran Rays Body Shop until 1994. He then worked for the local school district managing the bus barns until failing health forced his retirement in the year 2000. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion and served as Commander for a number of years. He and his wife loved to travel and camp in their motor home. Rays Body Shop was a gathering place for several men for coffee hour. He and his friends loved to visit and would also strike up the occasional game of cards. This past Friday, Ray passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne, MN at the age of 74. He is survived by his ex wife of 45 years, Karen, daughter Cheryl (Kelly) Huseman of Dakota Dunes, SD, son Scott Lens of Rock Rapids, daughter Kandace (Bill) Esser of Marysville, WA, son Jeffery (Carol) Lens of Laffayette, CA and son Brandt Lens of Scottsdale, AZ; Sisters, Lavonne (Bill) Lupkes and Alice (Gerry) Moeller, all of Rock Rapids; brothers, Edward (Patricia) Lens of Beaver Creek, MN, James (Colleen) Lens of Burlington, IA, John Lens of Seaside, CA, Wayne Lens of Creston, IA, and David Lens of Grand Junction, CO; as well as many nieces and nephews and other family members. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Agatha Lens; brothers, Charles Leonard and Robert; and sister, Margaret.