Raymond W. Kienzle, 91, of 2700 Matthew John Drive, Dubuque, Ia., formerly of (rural Council Hill) Scales Mound, Ill., passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at home.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Dubuque, with Rev. Dr. Okitakoyi Lundula officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena, Ill. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2014 at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque and after 9 a.m. Saturday, November 29 at the church.
He was born on July 4, 1923 at his Grandparents farm near Galena, Illinois, the son of William and Luetta (Erbe) Kienzle. He grew up on the family farm near Scales Mound, Ill. Ray went to a one room school in the country that was a mile and a half away. Water had to be carried from across the road from a farm well. He was the only one in his class of about 20 in all 8 grades. He always said that he was the smartest and the dumbest in his class. Ray always helped younger kids with their reading. He never took homework home other than weekends.
Being on a farm there were always too many chores on the farm. He missed going to state in a spelling contest by three words to a Stockton girl in the county. He graduated from the eighth grade in 1936 and got his G.E.D.
Ray married Amy Johnston of Dubuque, Ia. on August 25, 1946 at the Grandview Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on March 17, 2008.
He farmed on the family farm for over forty years. In 1951 he went into a partnership with a brother-in-law, Earl Bader. Their farm was known as the Kienzle & Bader Farms. That partnership went on for forty years. After farming for forty years he said that he had earned his P.H.D., Plow Handle Degree, in farming. While living on the farm he was very active in his community. He was on the Scales Mound school board and also a town trustee for a number of years. He was an active member of the Galena Methodist Church where he held many positions.
In 1986 Ray and Amy moved to Winter Garden Florida, where they bought a home, but was back north for planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall. While living in Florida he held a part-time job at the Orlando Auto Auction, the largest in the U.S.A., which he thoroughly enjoyed. They did a lot of traveling, seeing all 48 states, Canada, Mexico, and taking a cruise. After living in Florida for twenty years they moved back to Dubuque to be near family due to Amy's health.
Surviving are his five children, Pamela Jenn of Marietta, Georgia, Linda (Rodger) Lamont of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Janel (Steve) Geisert of Dubuque, Ia., William (Lisa) Kienzle of Chatham, Illinois and Kevin Kienzle and friend, (Julene Coates) of Dubuque, Ia., fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Janette Bader of Scales Mound, Ill., and Lorraine (Darrell) Busjahn of Orangeville, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Luetta, his wife Amy, brother-in-law Earl Bader, and a great-granddaughter Eliza Wray Lamont.
The family would like to thank the staff of Eagle Pointe Place and Hospice of Dubuque for their kindness and care.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to St. Luke's United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.