Raymond Saxen

He is the son of Henry Saxen, Sr. and Anna Friedericka Gehrke Saxen. Raymond attended school in Holstein thru the 8th grade. He worked as a farmhand in the Holstein area until he entered the Army in 1951. He went thru 16 weeks of basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. On February 20, 1952, while home on leave, Raymond married Joyce Elaine Jenness of Correctionville at the Meadow Star Church parsonage, rural Washta, before being shipped to Korea. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division, 39th Field Artillery as a truck driver, moving the 105 Howitzer and transporting ammunition. When in position, Raymond helped with the firing. He was in Korea for a year and a half. He received his release at Camp Carson, Colorado, July 17, 1953.

Raymond and Joyce lived in Correctionville a year, and Raymond worked as a painter with Wes Lampe of Washta and later at Belamy Sand & Gravel. On March 1, 1955, they moved to the Harriet Brune farm two miles south of Pierson where he farmed with his brother Robert until December 1977 when he moved into Pierson. Raymond was employed at the Pierson elevator from 1970 until his retirement in 1995. He continued to work as part-time help until he was no longer able due to health problems in 2004.

Raymond was a baptized member of the Correctionville Church of Christ, where he served 12 years as a deacon and on the board.

Raymond was a lifetime member of the Correctionville VFW and the Pierson American Legion Post #291 serving as adjutant from 1984 - 2012.

Raymond had an unwavering love and devotion to his wife, Joyce. He enjoyed

spending time with family and friends, riding his moped and collecting cans from the ditches, tinkering with his used lawn mower. Raymond enjoyed going to sports events while his children were in school and then faithfully followed the teams for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter Jennice, her husband Don Reimert and their children Jessica, husband Chris Winkley, and Adam and wife Devon of Newport Newa,VA daughter Jean, her husband Jerry Young and their children Emily, great-grandchild Raheem of Marshalltown, IA and Michael of Ames, IA; son Gary, wife Nora and their children Catherine and Elizabeth of LeMars; sister Lillian Nairn (Jim Manson)and brothers Wendell (Jackie Albers) and Danny and wife Bonnie all of Pierson, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Sr. and Anna, and his brothers Edmund, Robert, Henry Jr., Lawrence, Franklin, and Harold.