Raymond F. Bieri

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

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, IA. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the church.  Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco, IA is assisting the family.

Raymond Frank Bieri was born December 17, 1919, in rural Paris Township near Schley, IA to Niklous and Marie (Janstcher) Bieri.  As 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, New Mexico.  He typed the daily reports, and then sent a telegram to Denver, Colorado 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, IA.  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.  Ray 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, MN; a son-in-law David Burns of Lawler, IA; four grandchildren Rachel (Tim) Eickhoff of Zumbrota, MN, Nichol (Paul) Arndorfer, Brian Boettcher, and Chad (Amanda) Boettcher all of Wykoff, MN; 5 great grandchildren James and Clara Eickhoff, Kayla and William Arndorfer, and Cora Boettcher; 2 sisters-in-law Margaret Baker of Rochester, MN and Evelyn Truka of Lime Springs, IA.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Burns; his parents; 2 sisters Hermina Curtis and Helen Vawter; 4 brothers-in-law Irvin Curtis, Gerald Vawter, Leland Truka, and Ronald Baker; and a nephew Michael Vawter.

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