Obituary of Raymond J Reicher

Raymond J. Reicher, 89, of Dyersville, Iowa died Monday, December 28, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Dyersville, Iowa. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial at the parish cemetery immediately following. Officiating will be Rev. Phil Kruse. Ray was born on April 15, 1920, and was raised in Dyersville. As a young man, he worked with his brother, Steve, and his Dad, George, as caretaker of the Basilica, the Xavier schools and the parish cemetery. As a teenager, he was hired as a "vacation manager" for the National Tea Co. stores throughout eastern Iowa He served in the Air Force during World War II in the Northern Africa and Italian theatres. Upon returning to Dyersville, he owned a tavern with his brother. He met Therese Tegeler on a blind date (with her sister, Beth) and immediately fell in love with her. They danced their way in ballrooms across Iowa and were married in 1948. Upon the birth of their 4th child Sarah in 1955, Ray decided to buy a "family-friendly" business and started Reicher Shoes on Main Street in Dyersville. Therese and Ray raised their family on a small acreage south of Dyersville surrounded by acres of lawn (which he loved to mow) and a field of Christmas trees which gave him great joy. He was an avid bowler and a golfer of great accomplishment: he scored 7 holes-in-one, won several Club Championships, was the first Dyersville City Golf Champion, and was a member of the Dyersville team in the Eastern Iowa Golf Association tournament for many years. His golfing enthusiasm and coaching ability inspired scores of people to take up the sport. Ray had a natural skill for helping people improve their golf swing - bringing untold enjoyment to many. He was a proud supporter of Beckman High School and Xavier Parish being involved in fund-raising, serving at Mass (for 75 years), training servers, Monday morning collection counting and locking the church. But most of all, he was generous, gracious and kind. He had an easy laugh and truly enjoyed being with family and friends and meeting new people (who would soon become his friends). He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Therese, his children Bec (Ric) Willenborg of Dyersville, Marty (Jerry) Weydert of Dubuque, Chris (Patty Hackett) of St. Cloud, MN, Sarah (Tom) Muntz of St. Croix Falls, WI, Rachel (Mike) Gooder of Cresco, Ted (Ann) of Davenport and Zac (Kim Wilson) of West Lafayette, IN, a son-in-law, Don Norton of Chicago, IL, his sisters Mary Ellen (Don) Lakeman of Dyersville and Jane (Keith) Loebsack of Delafield, WI, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Miriam Norton, his parents George and Elizabeth, his brother, Steve, his sisters Esther (Joe) Tauke and Grace (Frank) Fincel, and his great-grandaughter, Ainsley Koch. Memorials can be given to Beckman High School or St. Francis Xavier parish.