IHNEN, Raymond J. 1926-2011

IHNEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/22/2023 at 10:21:31

Raymond J. Ihnen
(February 3, 1926 - May 15, 2011)

Northwood Anchor, Northwood, Iowa, Wed., May 18, 2011, p.10
Raymond J. Ihnen, 85, of Northwood, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, in the Hospice Unit at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood, with his wife of 63 years at his side. His body has been cremated per his wishes. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, at First Lutheran Church, Northwood with the Rev. Karen Grandall officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Highway 65 South, Northwood. Memorials may be given to Breen Center Lutheran Retirement Home or First Lutheran Church, Northwood.
Raymond J. Ihnen was born Feb. 3, 1926, to Tjark and Irene (Dirks) Ihnen of Palmer. He attended and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He attended school in Palmer where he graduated from high school. After graduating high school, Raymond attended Wartburg College where he obtained his B.A. degree in business with teaching emphasis. This college education was interrupted by World War II when he served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. He later went on to obtain his master's degree in business from Mankato State University. Raymond was united in marriage to Mary Ellen (Harris) Ihnen on Aug. 29, 1948, in Charles City. To this union five children were born: Jeffrey, Bryan, Stephanie, Kerry and Joel. Raymond began his teaching career in Manilla, where he taught high school business courses for three years. He was also a coaching assistant in football and basketball. From there he went on to teach high school in Burt, for nine years as well as being a coach for high school football, high school boys and girls basketball and boys baseball. He next taught in Sutherland, for three years with coaching duties of assistant high school football and head coach of junior high boys basketball. His last teaching job took him to Northwood, where he taught for 24 years. Here he also did football scouting as well as coaching high school boys baseball, high school girls softball and track, and junior high girls basketball. Raymond retired from teaching in 1987. Raymond was also involved in summer youth baseball coaching Midgets, PeeWees and coach pitch/T-ball. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood, serving on the church council as well as serving as president of the Church council. He later served as one of the regular money counters for offerings. He served as treasurer for Meals on Wheels program in Northwood. His hobbies included fishing, camping, traveling, and attending his children's and grandchildren's many activities. Anyone who knew Raymond also knew that he was very involved in baseball, being an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He thoroughly enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as his dog, Rascal. He was preceded in death by his parents. Raymond is survived by his wife Mary of Northwood; children Jeffrey (Marcia) of Arlington, Va.; Bryan (Karen) of Des Moines; Kerry (Joan) of Streator, Ill.; Joel (Jean) of Princeton, Minn., and Stephanie (Butch) Perkins of Northwood; sister Edna (Eldon) Arends of Wayzata, Minn.; grandchildren Andrew and Joel Ihnen, Tiffany Ihnen, Nathan (Jessica) Ihnen, Zeb Ihnen, Naomi (Dan) Schutz, Jacob (Jessica) Gentz and Julia Ihnen; great grandchildren Brooklyn and Hunter Ihnen, Jace and Olivia Gentz, and Aydan Schutz; nephew Jon (Jenni) Arends of Minnetrista, Minn.