Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home obituary - Raymond William Watznauer, 83, of West Point

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Raymond William Watznauer, 83 years, of West Point, Iowa died Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.

He was born August 8, 1935 in Fort Madison, Iowa, a son of William and Genevieve (Kramer) Watznauer.  Ray’s family moved to Miami Beach, Florida when he was a child.  He returned to Iowa when he was 15 years old and went to work for his sister, Evelyn & Joe Schneider, at the Blue Grass Dairy.

At 18 years old, he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War from 1954 - 1956.  On April 4, 1959 in West Point, he married Marylin Menke.  He worked as a guard at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for 39 years.  He also farmed for many years.  He was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church.  He enjoyed fishing, telling stories and jokes, was a Miami Dolphins fan, and loved driving his 57' Chevy in the Sweet Corn Festival Parade.

He is survived by his wife Marylin Watznauer of West Point; four sons: Jeffrey (Lora) Watznauer of La Fayette, Illinios; Timothy (Renee) Watznauer of West Point; Thomas (Cherie) Watznauer of New London, Iowa; and Jay (Angie) Watznauer of Taylor Ridge, Illinois; three daughters: Liza Enke (JC Lambert) of West Point; Michelle (Jay) Baldwin of West Point; and Jan (Matt) Morris of Fort Madison, Iowa; one brother Floyd (Deloris) Watznauer of Fort Madison; two sisters, Rita Miller of Burlington and Vera (Richard) Boeding of West Point; 23 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jodi, Josh, Portia, Kelsey, Randi, Courtney, Danielle, Brittany, Brandon, Mykayla, Justin, Jordan, Josey, Colton, Drake, Tanner, Parker, Jackson, Henry, Derek, Nathan, and Lindsey; eight great grandchildren: Cassidy, Lathan, Eric, Lexie, Rory, Elle, Gracie, and Paisley; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Wilbert, Clarence, and Bernard Watznauer, and six sisters: Martha Boeddeker, Evelyn Schneider, Laverne Boeding, Lucille Fedler, Pauline Blint, and Eileen Dingman.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home, West Point, a Rosary will begin at 4:00 pm Sunday, at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, February 4, 2019 at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point with Reverend Dennis Hoffman as Celebrant.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, West Point with full military rites.

A memorial has been established for Holy Trinity Elementary Building Fund, contributions may be sent to the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home, 412 Ave C, P.O. Box 247, West Point, Iowa 52656.  Online condolences to the Watznauer Family can be made at the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home website: www.barrholtkampfuneralhome.com.

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