Obituary of Ray Schwaller

Ray was born February 26, 1936 in Milford, Iowa to Bill and Helen Schwaller. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Milford. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961, receiving basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He hauled gas and diesel fuel at Fort Hood, Texas, earning the rank of Specialist 4. Ray married Elaine Gottsche from Spirit Lake on August 5, 1961. They lived in Arnolds Park from 1961 to 1963. During that time he helped his father on the farm and also worked for Syndergaard Excavating. In 1963 Ray and Elaine moved to Milford where Ray worked as custodian and school bus driver at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and school from 1964 to 1973, when the school closed. He also took care of Calvary Cemetery. In December 1973 the family moved to Spirit Lake where Ray delivered and repaired appliances for Carvers until 1982. At that time he became custodian at the Dickinson County Courthouse where he worked until he retired in 1999. Ray had many interests including tractors, steam engines, and airplanes. He loved anything mechanical and spent lots of time learning how things work. He was always up for the challenge when neighbors or family members needed help with repairs and other projects. He enjoyed history, the wonders of nature, polka music, yard work, and visiting with absolutely everyone. Ray also enjoyed annual fishing trips to northern Minnesota with his family. He is survived by his wife Elaine, son Steven Schwaller of Okoboji, daughter Lori Masad and her husband Randy of Spirit Lake, and daughter Linda Nelson and her husband Chad of Portland, Oregon. He has two grandsons - Anthony and Chris Masad of Spirit Lake, Iowa. His brother Don Schwaller lives in Milford with his wife Delores, and his sister Lois (Chick) Crane and her husband Tom also live in Milford. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. Ray was preceded in death by his parents.