In loving memory of

Raymond Herman Wilwerding
January 28, 1933 - March 18, 2018

Raymond H. Wilwerding, the son of John C. and Clara (Strauel) Wilwerding, was born on January 29, 1933, in Earling, Iowa. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Earling, and graduated in 1952. Ray then served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer in Utah. After his discharge, he ran a corn sheller, and also drove a tank wagon for the Standard Oil Company in the Earling area.

On June 23, 1958, Ray married Mary Catherine Shields in Dunlap, Iowa. The couple made their home in Earling, where he owned the Standard Oil Station. In 1966, Ray and Mary moved to a farm south of Earling. With Ray's skillful repair and improvements, the home was a great place to raise their eight children. In 1990, they moved into Earling where Ray sold cars and took up auto body repair at "Ray's Auto Body Repair."

Ray was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa, and had served on the Parish Council. He was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Ray was passionate about cars, and his creativity in repair was well known; he even made his own special tools as needed. He was the creator and builder of the "Moonraker Ride" which was used at area church picnics. Above all, Ray was a caring family man who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed family trips to Okoboji and spending time on the water, usually fixing the boat he was on.

Raymond H. Wilwerding died on Monday, March 19, 2018, at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa. He had reached the age of 85 years, 1 month, and 19 days.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and one infant son. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Wilwerding of Earling, Iowa; eight children, Claire Lee of Omaha, Nebraska, Voni (Mark) Andrews of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kayleen Wilwerding of Omaha, Nebraska, Shari (Lee) Grimes of Omaha, Nebraska, Dave Wilwerding of Omaha, Nebraska, Susie (Jeff) Fah of Earling, Iowa, Doug (Karen) Wilwerding of Omaha, Nebraska, and Christine (Shane) Heintz of Nevada, Iowa; one sister, Alice Stessman of Omaha, Nebraska; 23 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, March 23, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa, with Father Chuck Kottas and Father Guthrie Dolan celebrating. Mary Stessman and Kailey Snyder served as the musicians. Casket bearers were Ray's loving grandchildren. Burial was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Earling, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Shelby County Catholic School and Shelby County Community Outreach, Inc. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.



To read the full obituary, please click here: http://burmeisterjohannsen.com/3394/raymond-herman-wilwerding-march-19-2018/

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