Raymond K. Amundson

Thursday, August 18, 2016 6:21 pm

Raymond K. Amundson, 79, of Decorah, died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with the Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Raymond “Ray” Kenneth Amundson was born Oct. 27, 1936, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Henry and Ida (Strinmoen) Amundson. He was the youngest of four boys. Ray grew up on various farms in the rural Highlandville area. He attended country school through the 8th grade. After completing school he worked on the farms. He enlisted in the United States Army Nov. 4, 1959. While in the army he learned how to do surveying. He spent most of his time at Fort Carson in Colorado. After serving two years he was honorably discharged and moved back to Iowa. Ray then began working as a county surveyor for Winneshiek County. He later would work for Minowa Construction Company, a company that built bridges, for most of his life.

Ray lived up by the state line, North of Highlandville for the majority of his life but Decorah was always considered his home. Growing up, Ray enjoyed fishing and squirrel hunting with his pa. Ray was very interested in family history/genealogy. He wanted the family history to be known and would often mail out information and pictures he found. During his lifetime he was able to make a trip to Norway, where his ancestors lived. A large part of Ray’s life was visiting with family and friends and being outdoors.   

Ray is survived by his brother, Herbert “Herb” Amundson of Mason City; many cousins; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Benny and Curtis Amundson.