Raymond Joseph Gschwend, 89 of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Pekin, passed away at 8:45 am, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Luther Manor Grand Meadows in Dubuque surrounded by family.

He was born in Pocahontas, AR on August 26, 1935 to Mathias and Martha (Steinmel) Gschwend. He married Georgia Carpenter on August 5, 1967 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. She preceded him in death on November 17, 2014. 

Also preceding in death are his parents; two brothers, James and Henry; one sister, Joan Farley; six infant sisters; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Ray is survived by two daughters, Nicole (Richard) Soer of Dubuque, IA and Natalie Gschwend of Seattle, WA; three grandchildren, Zachary (Jennifer) Soer, Joseph Soer, and Elizabeth (Austin) Seyer; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Tom (Gwen) Gschwend of Jonesboro, AR; and two sisters, Freda (Cliff) Pope of Fort Worth, TX and Frances Thorson, of Yorktown, VA.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Ray worked at Caterpillar as a Tool Maker retiring in 1997. He was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Pekin. He served there in many ways, included singing in the Adult Choir and the Resurrection Choir for many years. He was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He dabbled in woodworking and loved watching Cardinals baseball and western movies. He enjoyed golfing, and even had a hole-in-one at Parkview Golf course. He cherished the Gschwend family reunions and spending time with his family as well as his trips to Seattle.

Ray’s Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. A visitation will be one hour prior from 10:00 am to 11:00 am also at the church. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 9:30 am. The Knights of Columbus will hold a Chalice Ceremony before the visitation at 9:50 am. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery, San Jose, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church in Pekin.