WANKUM, Raymond Michael

WANKUM, TSCHILL, LOWE, HANSON, LOUCKS

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 12/4/2006 at 10:28:01

Raymond M. Wankum

Raymond Michael "Ray" Wankum, 63, of Marcus died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital after bravely battling esophageal and liver cancer for seven months.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus, with the Rev. Eugene Murray, Jerry Bertrand and Bob Blair officiating. Burial will be in Holy Name Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present after 5 p.m., a rosary at 4 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Earnest-Rohde Funeral Home in Marcus. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Ray was born March 26, 1943, in Marcus, to Paul and Anna (Tschill) Wankum. He graduated from Holy Name High School in 1962. Following graduation, he worked for Cherokee Bottling for one year. He then worked for Sand Seed Service in Marcus for more than 41 years, most of which was spent as supervisor for the grain elevator. From 1966 to 1971, he served in the National Guard. His unit was activated in 1968 during the Vietnam War.

He married Kathy Lowe on June 24, 1978. They were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Mallory. After retiring from Sands, he worked part-time for the elevator at First Co-op Association in Marcus.

He was devoted to his family and his daughters were his pride and joy. He enjoyed attending the girls' concerts, camping, woodworking, traveling, shopping, cooking, canning, making caramels and decorating for Christmas. He was a lifelong member of Holy Name Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Kathy; two daughters, Kimberly of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Mallory at home; two brothers, William of Sioux City and Donald of Merrill, Iowa; a sister and her husband, Margret and Ray Hanson of Marcus; a brother-in-law and his wife, Ronald and Mary Loucks of Quimby, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Wankum; and a sister, Mary Loucks.