Rev. Dr. Ray R. Ohlendorf, 75, of rural Remsen, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024, following an accident on his acreage. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus, Iowa. Rev. Alex Kaldahl and Rev. Don Meyer will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Marcus. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Friday prior to the funeral service. The Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting Ray’s family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through mauerjohnsonfh.com
Ray Rodney Ohlendorf was born on May 18, 1949, in Le Mars, Iowa, the second son of Weldon H. Sr. and Ida (Kirchoff) Ohlendorf. He attended Marcus High School, graduating in 1967. Ray furthered his education at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ray would later earn his Doctorate of Ministry from Concordia.
On November 29, 1974, Ray and Beverly Haack were united in marriage in Hospers, Iowa. Ray’s first call was at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa. He served there from 1979 to 1983. The family moved to Linkville, Michigan where Ray served St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from 1983 to 1992. Later in 1992, Ray took a call to Salem Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, North Carolina. He retired in 2017, and he and Bev moved to rural Remsen, Iowa. Throughout the years he served as a vacancy pastor at numerous churches. While living in the area, he served vacancies at Bethel Lutheran Church, Sutherland, Iowa, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Quimby, Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus, Iowa.
Ray was a lover of the outdoors. He spent time hunting, clearing his grove and flower gardening. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed watching movies. His faithful companion, Thor was always at his side. Most importantly, he cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.
Grateful to have shared his life is his wife, Beverly Ohlendorf of rural Remsen, IA; a daughter and her husband, Rachel and Larry Kovaciny and their children, Daniel, Mercedes and Abigail of Woodbridge, VA; a son and his wife, John and Erika Ohlendorf and their children, Claire and John “Jack” Jr. of Manassas, VA; a sister, Mary Hartman of Le Mars, IA; two brothers-in-law and their wives, Daryl and Alyda Haack of Primghar, IA and Duane and Robin Haack of Sheldon, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joan Daniels and Joyce Ohlendorf; a brother, Weldon Ohlendorf, Jr and a brother-in-law, Gerald Hartman.
Memorials in Ray’s name may be directed to Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN 56001, or Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825