Raymond GRAMSTAD

GRAMSTAD, LARSON, HILLMER, HART, MOUDRY, RINK, STULL, WARD, JOYNER, RANWEILER, WARNTJES, SPROCK, ARNOLD, PETERSEN, VANSCHARREL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/26/2011 at 15:52:05

September 21, 1923 - June 25, 2011

Raymond Gramstad, 87, of Clarion, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Careage of Clarion. Funeral services for Raymond Gramstad will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion with Reverend Dr. Ronald Yarnell and Reverend Daniel Hart officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Visitation will be held Monday, June 27, 2011 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Raymond was born on September 21, 1923, to Rasmus and Mabel (Larson) Gramstad near Cylinder, IA, the third oldest of eleven children. He attended country school near Mallard, IA. Raymond served in the Army from November 1944 to July 1946, earning the rank of Staff Sargeant and participating in the battles of Central Europe during World War II. Raymond married Rosella May Hillmer on June 29, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mallard, IA. Following marriage, they lived in Luverne, MN, where Raymond worked in construction. Later they moved to a farm near Mallard, IA, where Raymond farmed and was business owner of a tire and appliance store. During this time, Raymond also earned the title of Colonel graduating from an auctioneer school in Mason City. Their next home was in Lee Center, IL, where Raymond was District Sales Manager for Pamline Mfg Co of Emmetsburg, IA. In 1967, the family moved to Clarion, IA, where he owned and operated Clarion Furniture Mart for many years with his wife, as well as doing custom farm work. Raymond enjoyed an active life (always an early riser), had a great work ethic, yet allowed time to treasure his wife, family, and friends. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Clarion.

Raymond is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Rosella; children Beverly (Daniel) Hart of Northwood, Gloria (Brian) Moudry of New Hampton, Kenneth of New Ulm, MN, Gerald (Carol) of Rock Rapids, and Sharon Rink of Clarion; 13 grandchildren, Eric (Stacy) Hart of Rochester, MN, Neal (Rachel) Hart of San Diego, CA, Amber (Kevin) Stull of San Diego, CA, Kristen (Jack) Ward of Ankeny, Jill (Greg) Joyner of Mason City, Scott Moudry of Peoria, AZ, Paul Gramstad of Mankato, MN, Dustin Gramstad of Moorhead, MN, Tracy (Michael) Ranweiler of Gibbon, MN, Angella (Michael) Warntjes of McKinney, TX, Amy (Eric) Sprock of McKinney, TX, Tiffany (Sam) Arnold of Indianola, Lance Rink of Ft Collins, CO, and 12 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include five brothers; Selmer Gramstad of Rochester, MN, Alvin (Lois) Gramstad of Sanborn, MN, Harold (Jane) Gramstad of Zimmerman, MN, Ernest (Charlotte) Gramstad of Russellville, AR, Joseph (Diane) Gramstad of Alexandria, MN, and one sister, Gladys Petersen of Augusta, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Bert, Norman and Gordon), and one sister (Mae VanScharrel).

http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries.php?id=235