Raymond Walde

Raymond Max Walde was born January 4, 1920, the son of William and Lillian Ruberg Walde. He passed away Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 93.
Raymond was born in rural Crawford County, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison where he was a faithful member for 78 years. After attending East Boyer #8 country school, Raymond worked on the family farm until being drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 19, 1942. After serving his country during World War II, Raymond received his honorable discharge on January 10, 1946, and returned to Iowa to work on the family farm. Raymond then worked at the Lengeling Locker and Denison Seed House before beginning a 23 year career at Farmland Foods in Denison until his retirement in 1983.
Raymond was united in marriage to Clara Dethlefs on January 21, 1951, in a double ring ceremony at the Lutheran parsonage in Onawa, Iowa, by Rev. Harry Droutz. Raymond and Clara were blessed with three sons and were married for nearly 63 years.
Raymond was a kind and gentle husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed socializing with family and friends. He spent many happy hours working in his yard and garden. He enjoyed living by Washington Park and liked talking with travelers passing through the park. Raymond was an avid reader of the daily newspaper and library books and enjoyed playing cards with Clara and his grandchildren.
After retirement, Raymond and Clara enjoyed travelling, taking memorable trips to Alaska, Austria, Switzerland, Maine, and New York City. They also often visited their sons in Minnesota, North Carolina and Arizona.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Walter, Virgil, and Edward; and four sisters: LaDonna Walde, Ruby Jahn, Helen Hinze, and Lillian Fastenau. He is survived by his wife, Clara, of Denison; three sons: Russell (Mary) of Saint Paul, Minnesota; Neal (Susan) of Tempe, Arizona; Dale (Maureen) of Saint Paul, Minnesota; three grandchildren (Evan, Bridget, and Maura); four sisters: Wilma Walde of Denison; Gladys Hagny (Phil) of Gettysburg, South Dakota; Marilyn Yoakum (Max) of Russell, Iowa; Marlene Brudenell of Tallahassee, Florida; and one brother: Leonard Walde (Shirley) of Westside, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be given to family choice.