Raymond Delfs

Rock Rapids, IA Raymond C. Delfs age 87, of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Rock Rapids Health Centre.. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, October 4th at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Alex Sloter officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Sunday, October 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00 PM with the family present at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Raymond Claire Delfs was born on December 22, 1933, in Hinton, Iowa, the son of Henry P. and Anna (Holmer) Delfs. He was one of six children and grew up on a family farm near Hinton, IA and later moved to a farm northwest of Rock Rapids, IA. He attended country school and Lester Community School. He entered the U.S. Navy in September of 1953. He served most of his active duty in the Philippines. On August 27, 1955, he was united in marriage to Janice Paulsen at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN. He returned to active duty and was stationed in Port Hueneme, CA until he received his honorable discharge on October 14, 1957. Together they lived near Renner, SD and eventually moved back to Rock Rapids and farmed and raised livestock the rest of his working years. In 2001 he retired from farming and moved to their new home in Rock Rapids, IA. He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church and the Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion of Rock Rapids. He enjoyed reading, especially Frederick Manfred books and attending polka dances all over the country with his wife. Most of all he was proud to be a farmer. In 2016 his health began to decline and in September of 2021 entered Rock Rapids Health Centre and remained there until his death this past Thursday, September 30, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janice Delfs of Rock Rapids, IA; six children, Debra VandenBosch of Sioux Falls, SD, Kae (Dave) Warren Sr. of Rock Rapids, IA, Darlene (Randy) VandenHeuval of Sioux Falls, SD, Buddy (Shawn) Delfs of Le Mars, IA, Randall (Jodi) Delfs of Hardwick, MN and Rodney (Sara) Delfs of Rock Rapids, IA; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Eunice (John) McCarty of Larchwood, IA; and a host of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Anna Delfs; three brothers, Peter, Gary and Alvin Delfs; two sisters, Phyllis Wildeman and Margaret LaFrenze; grandson, Jamison Delfs; and son-in-law, Leonard VandenBosch.