Raymond H. Bloem, 80, of Frederika, died Friday, August 17, 2018, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon after a lengthy courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli with Rev. Scott Duffus officiating. Interment will follow at Fremont Cemetery, rural Tripoli. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 20th at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.
Raymond Hans, son of Hans and Jennie (Brauer) Bloem was born April 12, 1938, in Reinbeck. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Ray received his education in the country schools, rural Frederika. On June 19, 1959, he was united in marriage with Mary Zander at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. To this union four children were born, Michael, David, Kristie, and Timothy. Ray worked for Moeller Construction, John G. Miller Construction, and Overhead Door in Waterloo, where he retired in 2000. He was a long time resident of Frederika and remained there until April, when he moved to Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Ray was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood-work, spending time at their cabin at Lake Delhi, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ray is survived by his four children, Michael (Penelope) Bloem of Waverly, David Bloem of Coralville, Kristie (Greg) Smith of Waukon, and Timothy (Emily Pennington) Bloem of Hayfield, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marguirite Zimmerman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Hermine (Louis) Harken of Greene, Shirley Hahn of Plainfield, and Karen (Gary) Klenzmann of Tripoli; one brother, Malin (Nina) Bloem of Tempe, Arizon; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, who died January 18, 2015; and one brother, John, who died in infancy.
