Raymon Goerler, 26 May 1928 - 3 July 2006

GOERLER, SCHAEFER, SIEMER, MEISSNER, CHARIPAR

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 7/5/2006 at 08:20:16

Ramon Goerler, age 78, died Monday, July 3, 2006 at his home at Lakeview Village, following a heroic battle with cancer. Funeral Services: 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 7, 2006, Middle Amana Community Church, Middle Amana with Elder Kristie Cutler officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Thursday, July 6, 2006 at the Middle Amana Community Church. Memorials may be contributed to St. Luke’s Hospice or Colonial Manor Nursing Home. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.Ramon Ferdinand Goerler was born May 26, 1928 in Amana, Iowa, the son of Ferdinand and Esther Schaefer Goerler. He spent most of his life in Amana, living in the home where he was born. As a boy he worked the Amana Society farms. He graduated from the Amana High School in 1946. He served his country from 1948-1950 in the U.S. Navy, in California and at sea on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific and Asia. He briefly attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and then managed the Amana Store for a number of years. He co-founded the Old Wine Cellar winery in Amana in 1961, and ran it successfully until he sold it upon his retirement in 1996. Ray cared deeply for the winemaking craft and entrepreneurship, even after retirement, and was patient and generous in sharing his expertise with his many apprentices.He was married to Bette Siemer from 1951 to 1988. Together they established and operated several wineries in Amana. He was married to Pam Meissner from 1991 to 2003. Although Ray had no children, nieces or nephews, he loved helping raise his stepson, Josh Cuno, and he fondly remembers the boating trips on the Mississippi River houseboat, and many other activities.Ray, as everyone called him, was an avid golfer and was a founding member of the Amana Colonies Golf Course. His greatest love was participating in golf tournaments at the course with his good friends and golf buddies. Ray belonged to the “Hole in One” International club, having achieved that twice in his years as an avid golfer. Ray also loved woodworking in his shop, a craft at which he excelled; he built many pieces of fine furniture for friends and his own home. He also traveled widely and enjoyed gardening.Ray is remembered as a tall, handsome man with a ready smile and laugh, who could always entertain those around him. He frequently gathered his longtime friends for drinks, dinner, and some laughs, as he thrived in social settings. He was known for his generosity, wry wit, gentle and genial nature, and joke and storytelling talent.Pam lovingly and tirelessly cared for Ramon during his final days. His friends and family were constant companions during those difficult times, as was his dog and faithful companion, Gizmo. An aunt, Helen Heinze of Amana, and many cousins from both the Goerler and Schaefer families survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Viola “Sandy” Goerler Charipar in March 2006.

Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo
Cedar Rapids Gazette, 5 July 2006