Raymond Harrison

Raymond Edward Harrison age 88 of Fredericksburg, IA, died Thursday, July 9, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. A private family funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2020, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg with Rev. Ronnie Koch presiding. The public is welcome to join the service via Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The PUBLIC is welcome for burial at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with D.J Harrison, Alex Harrison, Jamie Etringer, Sierra Harrison, Sara Harrison, and Jess Harrison serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Trista Harrison, Jocelyn Harrison, Sadie Harrison, A.J. Harrison, and Emma Harrison. Please practice social distancing and wear a mask to the burial. Raymond Harrison was born on Sept. 15, 1931, on his parents’ farm near Fredericksburg. He was the second oldest of four children and the lone boy born to Edward and Elizabeth (Gitch) Harrison. Raymond attended country school just up the road from the farm, where he helped his parents with daily chores. It was there that he began milking cows and save for his time in the service, he milked cows for almost 50 years. He attended Fredericksburg High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1949 and, more importantly, he met Dorothy Rogers. After graduating, he worked on the farm before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country off the shores of Korea during the Korean War. He saw a good deal of the Pacific Ocean, visiting ports in the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Hawaii. His father, however, was ailing, and any thought of continuing his Navy career ended because Raymond was needed on the farm. Then again, Raymond was most at home on a farm. He raised crops, tended to his livestock, and found joys in the simple things of life. Raymond and Dorothy were married on July 29, 1954, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, and on that hot summer day — Dorothy thought her new husband was crying; instead, he was just perspiring — a marriage that lasted almost 66 years began. And Dorothy will tell you that she doesn’t remember a single argument with her husband. The couple welcomed four children — Edward, Danny, Patricia and Dale — and they remember growing up with a father who loved his farm, his family, his hunting and fishing. He’d take his fishing pole north over the hill and that was the way Raymond could find the most relaxation. In 1982, the Harrisons moved into Fredericksburg, and for 15 years, he served as the groundskeeper of the Plum Creek Golf Course. Raymond wasn’t a golfer, but he knew how to manicure a beautiful course. In his mind, one did not mow over a stick or a rock; one picked it up. The couple lived near the elementary school in Fredericksburg, and they were “Grandpa and Grandma” not only to their four grandkids but to a slew of kids who attended the school over the years. Raymond cultivated a beautiful garden each year, and the joke was that he’d pluck the weed out of the soil almost before it had broken through. Raymond has a passion for dogs and always had a faithful companion by his side. Raymond loved his kids, but oh my, he absolutely adored his grandchildren and “greats,” and he remained active for much of his retirement; in fact, it wasn’t surprising to see Raymond riding his bicycle around town or in his garden. He wasn’t a traveler and he wasn’t the kind of guy to sit in a recliner and watch TV all day. He believed in the three F’s — family, farm, and faith — and he left his little corner of the world a far better place. Raymond is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Harrison of Fredericksburg, IA; two sons, Danny (Jo) Harrison of Fredericksburg, IA, Dale (Joan) Harrison of Decorah, IA; one daughter, Patricia (Victor) Patterson of Clermont, IA; three grandchildren, D.J. (Sara) Harrison, Jamie (Vaughn) Etringer, Alex (Jess) Harrison; six great-grandchildren, Sierra Harrison, Trista Harrison, Jocelyn Harrison, Sadie Harrison, A.J. Harrison, Emma Harrison; one sister, Florence Rogers of Sumner, IA; one brother-in-law, Paul Dawson of Fayette, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Edward Harrison; one granddaughter, Celena Harrison; two sisters, Marie Knoll, Helen Dawson; two brothers-in-law, Ward Knoll, Bob Rogers.