Arthur Raymond "Ray" Swenson (1926-2014)
SWENSON, WIRTH, WILCOX, OHL, SLEAN
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/10/2014 at 20:33:08
From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:
In Memory of
Ray Swenson
October 20, 1926 - April 30, 2014Obituary
Ray (Arthur Raymond) Swenson, 87, of Ames, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 after receiving excellent care from the Israel Hospice House in Ames from complications brought on by Alzheimer's. An informal visitation will be from 5-7 pm with a vigil to follow at 7 pm on Sunday, May 4 at Stevens Memorial Chapel, 607 28th Street. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, May 5 at 10 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 2900 Hoover with interment to follow at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery near Gilbert.
Ray was born in Webster City, Iowa on October 20, 1926 to Arthur and Rhina Swenson. Ray grew up on a farm near Radcliffe, one of eight children, and graduated from Radcliffe High School in 1944. He worked as a farm hand until enlisting in the army where he proudly served in Germany during the Korean War from 1950-52. Ray returned home to work locally before moving to Ames to begin his career with Fareway Grocery where he was proud to have worked for 35 years. Many people who have shopped at Fareway might not remember his name, but everyone recognized Ray when they saw him. In 1956, he married Marie Wirth of Gilbert, and they have two children, Leanne and Gary, and a special daughter-in-law, Jeanne.
Ray enjoyed many hobbies, some lasting longer than others, but always with an intensity to learn more about them. Some of his interests included coins, pens/pencils, Iris and mums, and antiques. Ray loved to hunt and fish, and especially enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada with friends and family. He and Marie also enjoyed travelling around the United States and Canada including every antique shop in Iowa.
Ray was a charter member of the Ames Coin Club, and also had memberships with the Iris Society, the National Pencil Collectors Society with yearly trips to the Chicago International Pen Show until slowed by his health. He was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
Ray is survived by his wife, Marie; daughter Leanne; son Gary and daughter-in-law Jeanne; his sister Dorothy (Maurice) Wilcox; brothers Darold (Karen) Swenson and Dale Swenson; brother-in-law, James Ohl; sister-in-law Marilyn Swenson; and many brothers and sisters in law; nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by sisters LaVonne Slean and Chrystella Ohl; brothers, Alan and Larry, and Larry's wife Vivian, and Darold's wife Joan.
As a show of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.StevensMemorialChapel.com.
http://www.dignitymemorial.com/stevens-memorial-chapel/en-us/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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