Raymond Mentzer, age 81, of Early, Iowa, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 27, 2010.Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in Early, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend DeAnn Klapp will officiate, with burial to follow in the Early Union Cemetery. Friends may call at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Sac City on Friday from 3-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m.
Ray was born June 19, 1929, to Ralph and Marian (Parker) Mentzer on the farm where he lived his entire life. Ray attended country school, then graduated from Early High School with the Class of 1946. He served in the United States Army in Korea from February, 1951, until his honorable discharge in December, 1952.
On March 19, 1955, Ray married Marilyn Staton at the Christian Church in Sac City, Iowa. Five children were born to this union: Eugene, Kathy, Jeff, Diane, and David.
Ray will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed playing cards and teasing his grandchildren by telling them that rocks grow, which is why they must be picked up each spring.
Ray farmed all his life, even driving the tractor in the fall of 2009 to help bring in his last crop. He enjoyed going to auctions with his brother, Don, in search of antique tractors to restore, of which he had several. He also enjoyed having coffee with his friends.
Ray was a member of the United Methodist Church in Early all his life, serving on many committees over the years. He served many years as a trustee for Cook Township and also was a member of the Crestland school board.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; five children, Eugene (Lori) Mentzer of Sac City, Kathy (Kevin) Johnson of Winterset, Jeff (Dawn) Mentzer of Early, Diane (Charles) Hansen of Schaller, and David (Mary) Mentzer of Early; his grandchildren, Brian, Kurt, Andrea, Cassandra, C.J., Amanda, Devin, Jack, Ross, Emma, Evan, Katherine, Chuck, Kyle, Eric, and Beth; and one great-grandchild, Raelynn. He is also survived by a brother, Howard (Betty) Mentzer of Nemaha, two sisters-in-law, Hallie Mason of Early, and JoAnn Vauble of Sac City; a brother-in-law, Leo (Shirley) Staton of Sac City; and many extended family members and a host of friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Sara Mentzer; three brothers, Homer in infancy, Russell and wife Lucille Mentzer, and Don Mentzer; two sisters and their husbands, Lola and Everett Stoneberg, and Joyce and Lee Mason; and four nephews, Denny Stoneberg, Wayne Mentzer, Michael Mentzer, and Marvin Mentzer.
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