Raymond Jay Marner

Kalona- Raymond Jay Marner passed away April 22, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family at the age of 85. Ray was born July 1, 1935, in rural Kalona, the son of Chris and Mary (Gingerich) Marner. On September 1, 1957, Ray was united in marriage to Ruth Swartzentruber in Montgomery, where they lived for two years before moving to the Kalona community. Ray and Ruth enjoyed 63 years of marriage to each other. He enjoyed yard work, coffee with his buddies, taking family trips and being around family and friends. He was a loyal fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ray would often mentor younger generations when he saw a need through his involvement with the church dating back to his work in Voluntary Service in Kansas City. He worked for the local Oliver dealership, on the family farm, and was a long-time employee of KCTC, eventually serving for many years as the general manager. After Ray retired in 2001, he continued on as a consultant for KCTC and for GVNW in Colorado Springs, and kept busy mowing yards around Kalona. He was involved with Kalona Rotary, Iowa Tele-Communications Association, and served on the Mid-Prairie school board. He was active in prayer groups, and always willing to share his faith, both with those he knew and strangers. His desire until he left this earth was that all people would know Jesus. Ray and Ruth were charter members of the Kalona Christian Fellowship Church, and recently attended Cornerstone Church. During their time in Rotary, Ray and Ruth hosted two foreign exchange students, Jacque McAllister from the Philippines and Daniella Rossi from Brazil, considering them family, and staying in touch over the years. The family would like to thank the caregivers, Holly, Cassidy, and Rosanna for taking wonderful care of Ray.

Ray is survived by four children, Cindy Marner, Joyce (Randy) Billups, Jeff (Cheryl) Marner, Jon (Beryl) Marner all of Kalona; 8 grandchildren: Bobbie (Phil) Peiffer, Mitch (Marce) Billups, Amber (Travis) Becker, Brittany (Kenny) Knutson, Camden, Emily, Evageline, and Logan Marner. 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth in November 2020, parents, sister Helen Yoder, and a brother Wallace Marner.

Celebration of life Service will be 9:30 AM Friday, April 30, 2021, at Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona .Funeral Service will be live streamed on the
Kalona Mennonite Facebook Page, the link is https://www.facebook.com/Kalona-Mennonite-Church-102431191403081/
Larry Rediger will officiate. Burial will be in the Sharon Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:30 - 7:30 PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona, A memorial fund has been established for the Mid-Prairie Foundation. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.