Raymond Sigwalt, 77, of Carroll, Iowa passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family that adored him, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital on Friday, November 4, 2022.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Allan Reicks assisted by Deacon Tom Renze. Music will be by Kathy Halbur, Cyndi Loneman and Jean Renze-Eilers. Gift Bearers will be Raymond’s children: Kevin Sigwalt, Dean Sigwalt, and Amy Carr. Casket Bearers will be Raymond’s grandchildren: Caroline Sigwalt, Warren Sigwalt, Nicholas Sigwalt, Brayden Sigwalt, Gavin Sigwalt, Allyson Carr and Alston Carr. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Arcadia American Legion.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. with a Christian Wake Service held at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Raymond was born to Charles and Lillian (Boom) Sigwalt of Lake City, Iowa on October 17, 1945. When Ray was 5 years old the family moved to Wall Lake, where Ray attended school and graduated from Wall Lake High School in 1963. Following high school graduation Ray attended Bailey Technical School in St. Louis, Missouri where he was trained as a mechanic. In 1965 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served through 1968. While stationed in Guam he was trained as a Seabee and served in the construction battalion with his unit in Vietnam. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Fleet Marine Combat Insignia.
Upon return from Vietnam, Ray married Virginia Renze on January 25, 1969. They made their home on the Sigwalt family farm, where he farmed with his beloved brother Warren (Butch, Boots) for 3 years. He then purchased a farm near Westside that he farmed until his retirement in 2020. Ray and Virginia raised their 3 children Kevin, Dean, and Amy on their Westside farm, and eventually moved to Carroll in 2007. In addition to farming, Ray did custom farm work and raised hogs and cattle.
Ray valued the opportunity to give back to the community as evidenced by both his commitment to his friends in the farming industry and his efforts in protecting the soil and water. Ray served on the Crawford County Pork Producers Board for 7 years, and from 1981-2007, Ray contributed his valuable time to working with the Crawford County soil and Water Conservation District.
When not farming, Ray enjoyed solving the problems of the world with his coffee friends. As a devoted grandfather, he cherished spending time with his 7 grandchildren. Ray will be deeply missed by those touched by his curiosity, plain spoken nature, and deep devotion to those he loved.
Ray is survived by Virginia, his wife of 53 years; his son Kevin Sigwalt (Sherri) of Nevada, IA, his son Dean of Carroll; his daughter Amy Carr (Eddie) of Westside; His 7 grandchildren: Caroline and Warren Sigwalt of Earlham, Nicholas, Brayden, and Gavin Sigwalt of Carroll; Allyson and Alston Carr of Westside. Also surviving are his siblings: Maxine Bettin (Paul), Roberta Adamson, Richard Sigwalt (Val, and Mavis Hiremath; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tom Renze (Joyce); Art Renze; Joe Renze (Lois); Jean Renze-Eilers.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lillian Sigwalt; brother Warren Sigwalt; brother-in-law Ronald Adamson, sister-in-law Mary Renze, nice Michelle Bettin, and nephew Brian Adamson.