Raymond Johnson

NOTICE: Alvord, IA Raymond Johnson, age 73 of Alvord, IA died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at the Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, IA with Pastor Carla Jensen officiating. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Friday July 25th from 2 - 8 p.m. with family present from 6 " 8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, IA. Raymond Johnson was born September 3, 1934 to William and Frieda (Hopmann) Johnson in Rock Rapids, Iowa. He received his education near Doon at the Cleveland #8 Country School and later at the Alvord High School. In 1956 Raymond joined the Army and served his country for two years in Germany. On February 16, 1959 he was united in marriage to Gayle Fox at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA. To this union three children were born, Corrine, Eugene and Bonnie. Raymond was a very active man and held several jobs in his lifetime. But he was a farmer at heart and lived with his wife and raised his family on the farm near Alvord, IA. He drove truck, worked at John Deere near Doon for 3 years and drove School Bus for 22 years transporting countless area children safely to and from school. In 2005 Raymond retired from driving the school bus and let his land out for rent. Family was so important to Raymond. His children, granddaughter Stacey and great-granddaughter Belle were the highlights of his life. He especially loved spending time with little Belle and she so loved her Papa Ray. He and Gayle enjoyed traveling in their later years. When Stacey was performing in dance at many different places, Raymond and Gayle would follow to attend her performances and were very proud of her. He was involved with his church and served on the council for several years. Like many farmers, Ray was a very handy man and took great care and pride in fixing and maintaining his equipment. He liked working in his vegetable garden and was quite a good cook. Ray also enjoyed being a part of and serving as vice-president of the local Historical Society. His family and friends will remember him as a loving and kind man. He will be missed by many. Raymond is survived by his wife Gayle; daughter Corrine Johnson of Alvord, IA; son, Eugene Johnson of Alvord, IA; daughter Bonnie (Jeffrey) Brown of Rock Rapids, IA; granddaughter, Stacey (Jordan) Smidt and their daughter Belle of Larchwood, IA; sister, Lyla (Leonard) Hieronimus of Wilmont, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Frieda Johnson.