Raymond Bunger, age 92, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, March 30, 2006 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, with Reverend Connie Spitzak officiating. On Sunday, April 2, 2006, a memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli, Iowa at 2:00 p.m., with graveside military rites and interment to follow in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Tripoli, with Reverend Miles Renaas officiating. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call one hour prior to service time at the church on Saturday, April 1, 2006 in Storm Lake, or one hour prior to service time at the church in Tripoli on Sunday, April 2, 2006.

Raymond Heinrich Wilhelm Bunger was born on September 9, 1913, the first son of Edward Bunger and Emma (Liebau) Bunger. He was baptized on October 5, 1913 and confirmed on April 1, 1928 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Readlyn, Iowa. Ray grew up in rural Bremer county, attended school in Fremont Township, and graduated from Tripoli High School on May 20, 1932. He attended Wartburg College.

On October 4, 1940, Ray was united in marriage to Mavis Laura Selck.

Ray proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps from1943 – 45. He was assigned to the 7th Air Force, 494th Bomb Group (Heavy) supporting Pacific Theater missions in Hawaii, Saipan, Okinawa, Tinian, and Guam. Shortly after V-J Day, September 2, 1945, Ray was honorably discharged wth the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Tripoli and was employed at Hasbrouck-Voetmann Lumberyard until 1960. Ray and his wife, Mavis, owned and operated Ray’s Clothiers and Cleaners in Tripoli from 1960 - 1988. He enjoyed gardening, singing in the church choir, and community work.

Ray served as President of the Tripoli School Board, St. John (Grace) Lutheran Church and was involved in the Commercial Club, Maple Hills Country Club, Wapsie Sportsmans Club, Lutheran Brotherhood and the Tripoli Library Board. He was a member of the American Legion Post and served as chaplain of the V.F.W. Post. Ray was active in the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli, and was a member of the choir for over 40 years. After the passing of Mavis, his wife for 58 years, Ray moved to Storm Lake, Iowa in 1998, where he was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and a cherished resident of his retirement community.

Ray is preceded by his wife, Mavis; his parents, Edward and Emma Bunger; five brothers: Lorenz, Milton, Edward, William and Kenneth Bunger; and one sister, Florence Strom.

Left to treasure his memory are three children and their spouses: Dixon and Rachel Bunger of Corinth, Texas, Bruce and Beth Bunger of Flowood, Mississippi, Wende and Dan Douglas of Storm Lake, Iowa; five grandchildren: Mark and Kristina Bunger of San Francisco, California; Todd Bunger and Sanna Luning of Stockholm, Sweden; Alison, Heather and Peter Douglas of Storm Lake, Iowa; five great-grandchildren: Wilhelm, Signe, and Loke Bunger of Stockholm Sweden; Laura and Elsa Bunger of San Francisco, California; and one brother, Burton Bunger of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.

Ray will be remembered with great love and missed dearly by his family and friends.