Rigter, Raymond (1927-2015)

RIGTER, KOOP, OLSON, VANLANGEN, SWANSON, GREENFIELD, DOYLE, HEWITT, BILSLEND, RIORDAN

Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 4/2/2015 at 17:54:26

March 19, 2015
The Daily Freeman Journal

Raymond Ross Rigter, 87, of Williams, peacefully passed Tuesday, March 17 at Crestview Senior Living in Webster City. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 19 at Williams First United Methodist Church from 5 to 7 pm and services Friday, March 20 at Williams First United Methodist Church at 10:30 with burial to immediately follow at the Williams Cemetery. Kay Christie will officiate. Surls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond was born in Kamrar June 12, 1927 to Jessie Anna Koop (Rigter) and Joe Amos Rigter. He grew up helping on the family farm and in 1944 graduated from Kamrar High School. In 1946 he joined the US Navy, and completed basic training in San Diego before serving two years post WWII on the USS Huntington light cruiser in the Mediterranean. He received an honorable discharge in 1948.

After a courtship that included daily letters during the entirety of his military service, he married Orpha May Olson November 24, 1948 at the Federated Church in Jewell. They initially made their home in Kamrar, in 1959 they moved to Williams to continue farming, and to raise their children: Sandra, John, Susan and Sally. Raymond proudly farmed every year from age 14 to 87, excepting his two years of military service. On the Williams farm, in addition to corn/beans/oats he raised a massive garden, dairy cows, pigs, sheep, horses, ponies, donkeys, cats, geese, chickens, and one goat. He frequently attended and participated in tractor pulls. He was an avid tractor collector and had a lifelong affinity for Allis Chalmers; dutifully displaying some of his large tractors each year with his grandchildren and great grandchildren in the Williams July 4 parade. He was also widely known for his astute ability to eat peas with a knife.

He was active in the Williams community serving many years on the Northeast Hamilton School Board, as a 4H leader, Williams Lions Club, Williams American Legion Post 633, Williams United Methodist Church Council Chair, Williams Elevator Board, and the Williams Retirement Apartment Board. In September 2014 he attended the Honor Flight as a WWII vet. He will be dearly missed for his ornery quick wit, devotion to family, and simple appreciation of the landscape.

Survivors include: his brother Joel (Joan) Rigter/Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, brother in law Alvin VanLangen/Jewell, two daughters, Sandy (Larry) Swanson/Manchester, Sally (Randy) Greenfield/Kamrar, son John (Sandy) Rigter/Williams, son in law Terry Doyle/Ames; granddaughters Angela (Chris) Hewitt/Jewell, Alison Doyle (Chris Bilslend)/Ames, Amy Swanson/Manchester; grandsons Cale (Amber) Doyle/Story City, Jordan (Kelly) Swanson/Madison, Wisconsin, Daniel (Jessica) Greenfield/Story City, Ben (Andrea) Greenfield/Waukee, David Greenfield (Brittany Miller)/Nevada, J.D. Rigter/Ft Benning, Georgia, honorary grandson Scott/Gail George/Ellsworth, great grandchildren: CJ, Carter, Caleigh, Claire Hewitt/Jewell, Tyler Doyle/Ames, Teagan Ray Bilslend ("Baby Ray")/Ames, Cecelia, Iris Doyle/Story City, Hunter Riordan/Waukee, Wyatt Greenfield/Story City, four nieces and 3 nephews and their spouses and extended families.

Raymond is preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Doyle (11/30/13), his wife Orpha Rigter (2/12/10), his sister Elaine VanLangen (8/28/13), his baby sister Jo Ann, his parents Joe/Jessie Rigter, his in laws George/Rickie Olson, and many other close friends and relatives.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center, Homeward Hospice, and Crestview Senior Living for the exceptional end of life care Raymond received.