Raymond Bieri, 97

Dec. 17, 1919

 June 3, 2017

 

CRESCO -  Raymond F. Bieri, age 97, of Cresco, Iowa, died Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held June 6, 2017, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco assisted the family.

Raymond Frank Bieri was born Dec. 17, 1919, in rural Paris Township near Schley, Iowa to Niklous and Marie (Janstcher) Bieri. When he was a small child, his parents moved to a farm in Winneshiek County. 

He farmed with his parents until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Private First Class Bieri served as a clerk typist at the base hospital in Hobbs, N.M. He typed the daily reports, and then sent a telegram to Denver, Colo. listing daily activities in the hospital. He was discharged in 1944. Ray returned to the family farm. 

In 1945 he married Gladys Truka in Lourdes, Iowa. They later moved into Cresco. He owned and operated a can milk route for several years. Ray then worked for Culbert Implement as a mechanic for 32 years. He also worked for Wilken and Lewis Construction. After retiring he did handyman jobs for people in the area. He took pride in whatever job he was doing and did it well. He was very proud of the house he built. The family has many keepsakes that Ray made. 

His faith and family were important to him. Ray was a member of the American Legion for 67 years. He was taught the importance of freedom by his immigrant parents.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gladys; daughter, Cheryle (Curtis) Boettcher of Wykoff, Minn.; a son-in-law, David Burns of Lawler, Iowa; four grandchildren, Rachel (Tim) Eickhoff of Zumbrota, Minn. and Nichol (Paul) Arndorfer, Brian Boettcher and Chad (Amanda) Boettcher, all of Wykoff; five great-grandchildren, James and Clara Eickhoff, Kayla and William Arndorfer and Cora Boettcher; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Baker of Rochester, Minn. and Evelyn Truka of Lime Springs, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia Burns; his parents; two sisters, Hermina Curtis and Helen Vawter; four brothers-in-law, Irvin Curtis, Gerald Vawter, Leland Truka and Ronald Baker; and a nephew, Michael Vawter.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.