Raymond Saxen 1930-2013

SAXEN, GEHRKE, JENNES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/18/2013 at 11:31:42

Sioux City Journal
15 February 2013

PIERSON, Iowa | Raymond Saxen, 82, of Pierson died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Correctionville, Iowa, with the Rev. Tim Jones and Clif Cockburn officiating. Burial will be in Sunset View Cemetery, Washta, Iowa, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Harrison F. Pedersen Post 291 of Pierson. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.nicklasdjensenfh.com.

He is the son of Henry Saxen Sr. and Anna Friedericka Gehrke Saxen. Raymond attended school in Holstein, Iowa, through the eighth grade. He worked as a farmhand in the Holstein area until he entered the U.S. Army in 1951. He went through 16 weeks of basic training at Camp Chaffee, Ark.

On Feb. 20, 1952, while home on leave, Raymond married Joyce Elaine Jenness of Correctionville at Meadow Star Church parsonage, rural Washta, before being shipped to Korea. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division, 39th Field Artillery as a truck driver, moving the 105 Howitzer and transporting ammunition. When in position, Raymond helped with the firing. He was in Korea for a year and a half. He received his release at Fort Carson, Colo., on July 17, 1953.

Raymond and Joyce lived in Correctionville a year, and Raymond worked as a painter with Wes Lampe of Washta and later at Belamy Sand and Gravel. On March 1, 1955, they moved to the Harriet Brune farm two miles south of Pierson, where he farmed with his brother Robert until December 1977 when he moved into Pierson. Raymond was employed at the Pierson elevator from 1970 until his retirement in 1995. He continued to work as part-time help until he was no longer able due to health problems in 2004.

Raymond was a baptized member of Correctionville Church of Christ, where he served 12 years as a deacon and on the board. Raymond was a lifetime member of the Correctionville V.F.W. and the Pierson American Legion Post 291 serving as adjutant from 1984 to 2012.

Raymond had an unwavering love and devotion to his wife, Joyce. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, riding his moped and collecting cans from the ditches, and tinkering with his used lawn mower. Raymond enjoyed going to sports events while his children were in school and then faithfully followed the teams for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Jennice and her husband, Don Reimert and their children, Jessica and husband, Chris Winkley, and Adam and wife, Devon of Newport News, Va.; daughter, Jean and her husband, Jerry Young and their children, Emily, great-grandchild, Raheem of Marshalltown, Iowa and Michael of Ames, Iowa; son, Gary and his wife, Nora and their children, Catherine and Elizabeth of Le Mars, Iowa; sister, Lillian Nairn (Jim Manson); brothers, Wendell (Jackie Albers) and Danny and wife, Bonnie, all of Pierson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Sr. and Anna; and his brothers, Edmund, Robert, Henry Jr., Lawrence, Franklin, and Harold.