Raak, David Lee 1944-2021

RAAK, BOERSMA, CORNELIUS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Mr. David Raak, age 77, of Hospers, passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Cherokee.

There will be a private family memorial service on Thursday, April 22, at the Community Center in Hospers. The Rev. Milton Sikkema will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hospers Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.

David Lee was born on April 10, 1944, in Orange City, the son of Donald Gerard and Leona Mae (Boersma) Raak. He grew up in Hospers and graduated from the Floyd Valley High School in Alton. He then attended Northwestern College in Orange City, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Arlene Pearl Cornelius. After two years at Northwestern, Dave transferred to Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics in 1966.

On June 18, 1966, Dave and Arlene were united in marriage in Ridgefield, New Jersey, where they remained until Dave was drafted into the United States Army later that same year. He served for two years, finishing his active duty in Anchorage, Alaska, where Arlene had joined him. Following his honorable discharge, the couple moved to Greely, Colorado, where Dave earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the Colorado State College. He taught junior high math for one year in Colorado before accepting a math and physics teaching position in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Dave also coached junior high basketball and high school cross country in Redwood Falls.

In 1974, Dave and Arlene returned to Hospers, and Dave began working with his father at the Hospers Telephone Company, taking over its management in the mid-nineteen eighties. As communications technology changed and expanded, he worked hard to remain innovative for his community and customers. In August of 2017, Dave was diagnosed with Amyloidosis, a rare condition that affects a person’s organ function. As his health declined, it became necessary to step away from his family’s business in 2018, and in November of 2020, he became a resident of Careage Hills.

David had been a long-time member of the First Reformed Church in Hospers, serving on the consistory as both a deacon and an elder. He was an active member and past commander of the Reuter American Legion Post in Hospers and in earlier years was a high school basketball referee. He had also served on the boards of Inspiration Hills, the Iowa Communications Alliance, and served on the Iowa State Republican Central Committee.

Above his business and community involvement, time spent with his family was most important. Together they enjoyed weekends at Lake Okoboji, where Dave enjoyed boating, fishing, and driving his Corvette. In later years, his grandchildren took center stage, and he loved to spend time teaching them how to fish, play cards, and encourage them by attending their various extracurricular activities. Dave loved to tell jokes and drink coffee with friends while sharing his sense of humor and infectious laugh with countless friends and strangers over the years.

He is survived by his wife of more than 54 years, Arlene, of Hospers; two daughters, Ruth, and her husband, Matthew Kuster, and their daughter, Jordan, all of Mankato, Minnesota; and Rachel Raak, and Rachel’s friend Colin Ross and her children, Carson, Addison, and Emerson Law, all of Correctionville; a son and his wife, Paul and Sara Raak, and their sons, Oliver and Henry; all of Alexandria, Virginia; two sisters, Sharon Gumto, of Chandler, Arizona; and Joan, and her husband, Galen Haack, of Hospers; a step-sister and her husband, Laura and Thomas Wakefield, of Spencer; a step-brother and his wife, Douglas and Denise Van’t Hof, of Hudson, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents; stepmother, Emogene Raak; and in-laws, Agnes and Ken Cornelius; he was preceded in death by a grandson, Bennett David James Raak; and a brother-in-law, Richard Gumto.

The family would like to sincerely thank the dedicated staff at Careage Hills for the loving care they provided to Dave.

Memorials may be directed to Inspiration Hills, 1242 280th Street; Inwood, Iowa 51240, or Partners for Patriots, 3312 210th Street; Anthon, Iowa 51004.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.