Raymond Arends

Little Rock, IA

     Raymond Arends  age 94 of Little Rock, Iowa died Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota.

     A funeral service will take place at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church, rural George, Iowa, with Reverend Jesse Sternke, officiating.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George.

     Visitation will take place Tuesday, November 22^nd from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at First Baptist Church, rural George.

     Raymond Arends was born November 24, 1927 in White, South Dakota, the son of John J and Mary (Johnson) Arends.  He spent his younger years in South Dakota until his family moved to Iowa when he was 5 years old.  He attended Country School. 

     Ray was united in marriage to Lois Klaahsen on March 1, 1949.  Together they lived on a farm Northwest of Little Rock.  To this union five children were born, Gary, Arlan, Steven, Lori, and Lisa.  Lois passed away on December 15, 1989.

     Ray was a farmer his entire life.  He also built grain bins for many years.  He retired at the age of 63.  Ray was a member of the First Baptist Church of George.  His children remember him making them go to church every Sunday as faith was important.  Raymond and Lois enjoyed traveling to several places and always collecting spoons wherever they went.  They also liked to spend their summers camping when they were younger.  He enjoyed Case IH tractors and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. 

     Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Gary (Julia) Arends of Sibley, IA, Arlan (Rosalie) Arends of Little Rock, IA, Steven (Ronda) Arends of Little Rock, IA, Lori Pick of Luverne, MN, and Lisa Arends of Little Rock, IA; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; siblings, Sweer Arends of Ellsworth, MN, Heikelena Harms of Sheldon, IA, Mary Kramer of George, IA, and Henry Arends of Ellsworth, MN; along with many extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; parents, John and Mary; siblings, Harry Arends, John Arends, George Arends, and Ann Kleinwolterink; son-in-law, Dale Pick; and great grandson, Colt Lesher.

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