Service FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2003, 10:30 AM ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA
Officiating PASTOR DANIEL VOGEL
Music "AMAZING GRACE" "How GREAT THOU ART" LARRY GENZEN, VOCALIST
"I'M BUT A STRANGER HERE" CONGREGATION
FERN JENSEN, ORGANIST
Interment MANNING CEMETERY
Casketbearers: KRISTA ODENDAHL, DAN BAYLOR, MARK BAYLOR, BRUCE BAYLOR, STEVEN STOKEY, SCOTT STOKEY
Honorary Casketbearers: EARL PFANNKUCH, ALLEN VENNINK, RAY EHLERS, WESLEY NULLE, RON HODNE

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE.

Raymond George, son of George H. and Pauline (Jons) Witt, was born December 26, 1909, near Arcadia in Carroll County, Iowa. He attended rural school near his home and then began working on the family farm.

On February 7, 1934, Ray was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schluter at the Lutheran Church in Arcadia. Five children were born to this union. The family lived and farmed near Botna. Elizabeth died on October 17, 1963.

Ray was married to Nellie Piper Cook on December 17, 1964, and he continued to farm until 1972 when they retired and moved into Manning. That same year Ray and Nellie started traveling and spending winters in the warmer southern climate. Even though he was retired, he went to the farm to help his son Larry most every day when he was in Iowa. After Larry's death in 1986, Ray continued to help out on the farm when needed. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed the changing seasons.

Ray was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. When living in the South during the winter months, Ray and Nellie enjoyed playing shuffleboard, dancing and visiting with their many new friends.

When Ray's health started to fail in 2000, they ended their winter stays in Texas, however he was able to remain in his home until February of 2003 when he became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. He died after a short stay at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center on Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 20 days.

Preceding Ray in death are his parents; wife Elizabeth; one son in infancy; son Russell Witt in 1974; son Larry Witt in 1986; sisters Violetta Schluter and Berdella McConnell and twin brothers in infancy.

He is survived by his wife Nellie Witt of Manning; two daughters Charlene and husband Fred Stokey of Omaha and Ardith Mann of Omaha; daughter-in-law Doris Witt of Manilla; step-son Lloyd Cook and wife Linda of Wall Lake; 9 grandchildren: Steven Stokey; Kim Mathew; Scott Stokey; Pam Baylor; Mark Baylor; Bruce Baylor; Dan Baylor; Krista Odendahl; Kim Hambly; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-great-grandchildren; brother George Witt and wife Ruthana of Carroll; sister Evelyn Martens of Bayard Care Center; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.