CONNELL, Ray 1910-1991

CONNELL, RYAN, JOHANNSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/13/2016 at 08:16:26

Ray Connell Services Held

Raymond M. Connell, 80, passed away at Grundy Memorial Hospital on March 18, 1991.

Services were held on Monday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Everett Frese officiating.

He was born to Martin and Nora Ryan Connell on their farm, 5 1/2 miles north of Conrad, on September 26, 1910. After graduating from Conrad High School in 1928, he attended Loras College in Dubuque for one year and then Iowa State University for one year.

He subsequently completed correspondence courses in Real Estate Appraisal and Farm Management while farming with his two brothers.

On July 21, 1938 he was united in marriage with Lorene M. Johannsen of Gladbrook. They moved onto one of his parent's farms and began farming for themselves as well as farming additional land.

In the fall of 1949, the family moved to Grundy Center where Ray started, owned and operated a Purina Feed Store for nearly nine years. He then became the sales and service representative for the Johnson Elevator in Parkersburg for three years. The family then moved to Hampton where he was in charge of sales and service for Purina Feeds.

In 1964, the Connell family moved to Gladbrook when Ray was named Plant Manager of the newly completed Monsanto Fertilizer Plant. He occupied this position for seven years with Monsanto and for three and a half more with the Farm Service Company after they purchased the plant. He resigned at this time and became a hail adjuster for the Insurance Company of North America. He was employed in this capacity for eight years.

Ray and Lorene moved back to Grundy Center in 1978. To their union, four children were born: Gary M. and family of Orinda, CA, Daryl R. and family of Bellevue, WA, Mary Jo and family of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Rita of Pompano Beach, FL.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene, and two sisters, Mary Rouse and Loretta Stull. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Johnston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 April 1991, pg 3