FUNERAL LIVE ON FACEBOOK – Friday, Dec. 11 at 10:30am
Please pray for the family of Ray Vander Wiel as they continue grieve his passing.
Funeral services for Raymond Vander Wiel , 82, of Cedar Rapids will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids with a live feed on the Facebook page of Cedar Hills Community Church. A private burial will occur at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Noah’s Ark Preschool in Cedar Rapids.
Raymond was born on February 26, 1938, to Gerrit and Anna (Stam) Vander Wiel at home on the family’s farm in Prairie City, Iowa. He started school in a small country school near Vandalia, Iowa. The family moved to Pella, Iowa, and Ray attended Pella Christian Elementary School and Pella Christian High School, graduating in 1956. Ray attended Calvin College for his BA in education and earned his Master’s degree from Michigan State University.
He was married to Arlene Van Gorp of Pella on August 6, 1958. The couple were devoted parents and grandparents and enjoyed camping, puzzles & games, spending time with good friends, and being with family. Together, they spent countless hours creating a fun and creative learning environment at Noah’s Ark Preschool. Arlene died on March 25, 2002.
Ray worked for Cedar Rapids Schools as a teacher and administrator, then as an administrator with AEA 10 until he retired in 2003.
Ray enjoyed creating and building all sorts of gadgets, inventions, and practical things in his shop. He enjoyed activities as a family, including camping, trips, and church. He took pleasure in supporting and attending his kids and grandkids events. Most of all, Ray loved sleeping.
Ray’s faith was always an important part of his life. He was a member of Cedar Hills Community church for over 50 years, serving in numerous leadership roles. He remained active as a leader, teacher, and encourager.
Ray was married to Shirley Rasmussen on April 3, 2003, in Cedar Rapids. In retirement, they enjoyed traveling and camping in their RV, visiting friends, family, and several national parks across the country. More recently, they loved the company of their two shih tzu pups, as well as their home at the Stoney Point Meadows community.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, his father Gerrit, and mother Anna, his brothers Gerald, Frank and Henry, and his sister Ruthie.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Vander Wiel; his sisters Anna Mae Vander Wiel and Marjorie Keur; his children: Brenda, Scott (Linda), Kurt (Kara), and Russ Vander Wiel, and Dean, Diane (Tom), and David (Holly) Rasmussen; his grandchildren: Deanna (Nick) and Alexandra Lines; Janelle (Casey) Kinman, Jonathan (Amanda), Micah, and Gerrit Vander Wiel; Logan (Lauren), Caleb (Claire) and Ethan (Delaney) Vander Wiel; and Taylor, Garrett, and Elena Rasmussen; and his great-grandchildren: Evelyn and Asher Kinman and Juniper Vander Wiel.