Raymond Wilberding

February 3, 1930 - May 1, 2011

Raymond Frances Wilberding, age 81 of Melrose, Iowa, passed away on Sunday May 1, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa following a lengthy illness. Raymond was born February 3, 1930 in Nobles County, MN, the son of Charles and Mary (Jasper) Wilberding. He moved with his family to Remsen, Iowa when he was one year old. He received his education at St. MaryÂ?s Catholic School in Remsen and spent time helping his father on the family farm. During the Korean Conflict he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. On June 20th, 1956 Raymond was united in marriage to Margaret Â?PeggyÂ? L. Ferris at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee. RaymondÂ?s love of farming continued in Cherokee County for the next 20 years until the summer of 1976 when he moved his family to a farm in rural Monroe County. Raymond continued to farm near Albia until 1986 when he was forced to retire due to poor health. The family then moved in to a house in Melrose, Iowa. Raymond was an active member of the Iowa CattlemenÂ?s Association, the V.F.W. in Cherokee, the American Legion in Albia and at all of the Catholic Churches in the areas he lived. Raymond was a lifetime member of the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He loved spending his time with family and loved ones, his many road trips to the mountains, and spending his winters in Southern Texas. Raymond is survived and loving remembered by his wife Peggy Wilberding of Melrose; three sons Mark Wilberding of Carlisle, Timothy (Helen) Wilberding of Applevalley, MN, and Gerald Wilberding of Port Arthur, TX; two daughters Vicki (Tim) Spurgin of Albia, and Teresa (Mark) Vance of Altoona; his grandchildren Sheena (Preston) Dau, Bret, and Clint Spurgin, Nicole, Abigail, and Andrew Vance, Bryce and Paige Wilberding, and Skyler Wiberding. Raymond is also survived by one sister Helen Flaherty of LeMars; and many other relatives and friends. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary; and two brothers Alfred and Lawrence Wilberding. An open memorial has been established in RaymondÂ?s name.