ELLERBUSCH, Raymond (1927-2020)

ELLERBUSCH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/28/2021 at 19:54:50

Raymond E. Ellerbusch
(October 16, 1927 – November 19, 2020)

HOLSTEIN – Private family services for Raymond E. Ellerbusch, 93, of Holstein were held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein with Rev. Bob Lewis officiating and military rites by American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein.Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Holstein was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond was born Oct. 16, 1927, in Royal, Neb., to John Paul and Adele Stoltenberg Ellerbusch. He started country school in the first grade at four and was the only student in his class. Because he was so young, he spent much of the day on his teacher’s lap while she taught the older students. Then, the older students taught Ray. After the drought in 1936, Ray’s family moved to Holstein. His father farmed and raised turkeys for his uncle on the farm that is west of the Casey’s store today. Ray graduated from Holstein High School in 1945 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Sasebo and Fukuoka, Japan. At discharge, Ray chose to come back home and farm with his father. Ray was very proud to have served his country. He attained he rank of sergeant and was honored to be awarded the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, Marksmanship Badge-M1 Rifle, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Ray met his loving bride, Gloria Sindt of Cushing, through mutual friends in 1948. After they married March 11, 1951, they moved to the farm Ray had purchased in 1950. They spent the next 55 years of their lives on this farm, located one mile north of Cushing. They raised their daughters, grew crops and a cattle herd, and fed cattle and hogs. Raymond always had a heart for service and spent 35 years on the Douglas Township Board of Trustees. He also served on the board for the Co-op, REC and Kiwanis. He held many positions on his church council. Raymond and Gloria enjoyed life to the fullest. They took many fishing trips with friends to Canada and enjoyed their card club friends since 1951. In January 2019, Ray decided he “had another trip left in him” and took his family of 33 to Disneyland. There, he enjoyed seeing the magic of this place through the eyes of his great-grandchildren. Raymond was called to his Heavenly home to join his parents, brothers and sister Nov. 19, 2020.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Fred and Ruby Ellerbusch and Lester and ViLois Ellerbusch; a sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Leigh Drake; a brother-in-law, Creighton Sindt; and a nephew, Rev. Steve Ellerbusch.
Thankful and so very blessed to have shared his life are Gloria, his wife of 69½years; and his three daughters: Debra (Thad) Bagenstos of Holstein, Cheryl (Luane) Todd of Correctionville and Janet (Lewis) Byers of Pierson. Ray had eight grandchildren, who will cherish his memory: Erica Todd Davis (Troy), LeAnn Todd Hoien (TJ), Shawn Todd, Wade Bagenstos (Libby), Brooke Bagenstos Boddicker (Brian), Dr. Abbie Bagenstos Otto (Kelly), Jacob Byers (Haley) and Ethan Byers. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Carolyn Sindt.
Sources: Ida County Courier, Ida Grove.
Sources: Ida County Courier, Ida Grove, Mon., Nov 23, 2020 and Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home & Monument Company, Holstein, Iowa at https://www.nicklasdjensenfh.com/