Obituary

Raymond Willis Thoms, 88, of Reinbeck, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Reinbeck, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 22, 2010, at Amity Presbyterian Church, rural Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Diane Martin officiating. Burial followed at the Grant Township Cemetery. Visitation was 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, May 21, 2010, at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Memorials may be directed to the family. To view the complete obituary or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Raymond the son of William and Clara (Ramundt) Thoms was born September 23, 1921, in Grundy County. Raymond grew up in the Dinsdale and Buckingham area and attended and graduated from Dinsdale High School in 1941. In July of 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Air Force serving his country for three and a half years. On March 10, 1946, Raymond was united in marriage to Grace Stauffacher of Canton, South Dakota. They made their home in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area until moving to their farm near Gladbrook in 1948. Raymond farmed the land until his retirement in 1993. He and Grace moved to Reinbeck in December, 1997. Raymond was a member of Amity Presbyterian Church, and was involved in many of the church’s groups and activities. He quipped that he had done everything in the church except play the organ. Raymond was a member of The American Legion Action Post #242 of Reinbeck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter Virginia Thoms; a daughter-in-law, Leita Thoms and a brother, Harold.

He is survived by his wife, Grace of Reinbeck; daughter, Janice (Jack) Schleisman of Madison, Wis.; son, Duane Thoms of Waterloo; three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren; two brothers, one sister and many nieces, nephews and friends.