Funeral services for Raymond Clair Severson, 82, of Clarks Grove will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Matt Griggs will officiate. Interment will be at Clarks Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Raymond died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at his home.
Raymond Clair Severson was born on Dec. 8, 1926, to Sever and Ida (Fosse) Severson in Albert Lea. He grew up in Albert Lea and attended Albert Lea Schools. After graduation, Raymond served in the United States Army during World War II. On Nov. 5, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Carlsen in the Clarks Grove Baptist Church. The couple moved to California shortly after, where Raymond went to school for aviation mechanics. In 1953, the couple returned to Albert Lea and in June of 1954 moved back to Canoga Park, Calif. From 1955 -1971 they resided in California where Raymond was employed by UPS. In 1971 the couple returned to Clarks Grove. Raymond then opened D&R body shop on their farm. He loved Nascar racing and anything mechanical. Raymond enjoyed buying cars and restoring them. Raymond had a very special kitty that was his companion till two years ago. The last two years he enjoyed having his golf cart to be able to get around the farm in and get the mail.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; children, Pat (Jon) Rhiger; grandchildren: Jon (Rhonda) Beck, David (Heather) Beck and their children Jager and Jaxon; Michael Rhiger, and Cher (Scott) Anderson and their children, Tyler, Parker, Brooke and Cole; sister-in-law, Millie Severson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lucille (Duane) Hagen, Larry (Karen) Carlsen, Carol Carlsen, Howard (Mary) Carlsen, Dale (Sandy) Carlsen, and Diane (John) Henline; many nieces and nephews.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg Severson; brother, Orville; brothers-in-law: Marvin and Lowell Carlsen; and sisters-in-law: Audrey Carlsen and Mable Carlsen.