Raymond Lee Nissen
Nancy, Jim, Linda, and Bill, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. We saw Nancy just one week ago as she was paying her respect to our dad. We have walked where you are and know all to well what you're experiencing right now. We pray that God will be with you all and give you strength, peace, rest, and comfort. Your dad and husband was a beautiful man. He was gifted in many ways. He helped so many people with their homes. He helped the Noonan family as we grew and needed more living space. As Pastor Harlan said to us, "Let the tears and memories flow" as you celebrate and honor Ray's life. God be with you all! With love,
Ken & Mary (Noonan) Rose
Third Lake
IL
Our deepest condolences, Ray and I go all the way back to our senior years in high school and basketball. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with Ray in later years at Optimists and City Hall. Ray was a gentle giant and a very good friend.When I think of Ray, I smile. No greater compliment can be given to anyone. We will miss him.
Robert F & Janis L, Kazimour
Cedar Rapids
IA
Nancy and family, We join you in celebrating the life of Ray. He was always our ideal of a gentleman, and a man worthy of trust. We worked with him on two additions to our home, and considered him a Master of the art of home improvement. Ray was also a man of many talents. I grew up in Roland with Gary Thompson. Recently, I read the book about Gary and noticed that Gary and Ray had traveled together and shared concerns about the high costs of things on their journey. Ray was my friend. I celebrate his life and revere his memory. I thank God for him allowing Ray to be a part of our lives. Bill and Mary Jane Jacobson
Bill and Mary Jane Jacobson
Cedar Rapids
IA
Dear Nissen family, Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers at Ray's passing. Working with Ray on many and various projects for many years from home building to remodels we admired Ray's quality workmanship and shear hard work. Robert Hurych Hurych Plumbing Inc.
Robert Hurych
Cedar Rapids
IA
To Ray's family, You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Terry Himes retired-City of Cedar Rapids Assessor's Office
Terry Himes
Lake City
IA
To the family of a great man and teacher. I am so sorry to hear of Ray's death. He was my industrial arts and drivers ed. teacher in Williamsburg many years ago. He was always well liked as a teacher and will be missed greatly by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I am sure that god has other plans for him in heaven or he wouldn't have called him home. I will not be able to attend his visitation, but my thoughts and prayers will be with you in this time of sorrow. He was truely a good example of kindness. Paul Gardner
Paul Gardner
Coralville
IA
Dear Nancy and Family, My heart hurts for all of you and for all our classmates from OHS. We all loved him....and You! Ed and I send our love.
Isobel McQuiston
Hot Springs
AR
Nancy, Betty and I are sorry to learn of Ray's passing. We know he'd been ill for quite a while. I will always remember has being a man of character and good will to others. I remember one time in high school when I was being teased because of my weight and Ray spoke up on my behalf. He was the only one to ever do that. The goodness in the world is diminished without his presence.
Fred Schoentag
Cedar Falls
IA
Dear Family, I was saddened to read of Ray's death. He was a fine man and I always enjoyed seeing at church. I haved missed that these past few years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Harold Wilkinson
Solon
IA
Dear Nancy and Nissen family, My sincerest sympathy to all of you. Ray Nissen was a giant of a man in so many ways. (and I'm not just talking about his physical size!) Nancy, you and Ray were soulmates and a wonderful example to all of us. You demonstrated every day the meaning of true love and commitment. I have many wonderful memories of Ray, but I think what I remember most is how proud he was of you and his children. Ray brought joy to everyone. I feel lucky to have known him. Sending you tons of love, Mary Ingvoldstad (formerly Hampton...so you know who I am. :))
Mary Ingvoldstad
Cedar Rapids
IA
I worked with Ray at the City on some things although he was in a different Department. I was in Housing. He was always helpful and caring in what he did. If you wanted a straight answer without the spin, you talked to Ray. He was very knowledgable in the Building Trades and was very patient in explaining things to people. I also worked some with Ray in Habitat for Humanity. Ray left a good impression wherever he went. He will be missed by many people.
Marlin Oeltjen
MARION
IA
Pastor Bill and Pam Nissen: Our thoughts and prayer are with you and your entire family during this time of loss. I thank God that the Bible tells us we do not have to grieve as those who have no hope. As you grieve I pray that you are filled with His hope. I pray that God's hope and peace that we have through Jesus Christ ministers comfort to you and your family by the Holy Spirit. God Bless You, Pastor Rick and Jan Gail
Rick and Jan Gail
Cedar Rapids
IA
Dear Nancy: Please accept my sincere sympthies on the occasion of Ray's departure. Grieving the loss of one so dear is not easy. Christ assured us that he will live eternally. I first met Ray in kindergarten at Harlan Elementary Schol. During our growing up years we were associated in many ways, culminating in the state high school basketball tournament. Ray was always fun to be with.
Stewart Shaw
Winona
MN
Lida & I wish you well at this time of your loss, our prayers are for your family.
Donald R. Taylor
Marion
IL
Dear Nancy, I would like to extend our sympathy to you and your family. Ray was such a good host..so welcoming to the Arthur teachers when we would come to party!! We are at a wedding so we will be with you in prayer.
Paula Moucka
Marion
IA
Nancy and Family, We were very sorry to hear of Ray's passing and our thoughts are with you. Ray was a true gentleman, and I always enjoyed my conversations with him. John, Stephanie, Richard and Suzanne Wagor
John Wagor & Family
Cedar Rapids
IA
Gene Heldt
Oelwein
IA
I always knew when Ray was calling my father because Ray would use the nickname that he called my father by since childhood. There are few stories of my father's childhood that don't include Ray and even fewer if you only include the happy ones. It seems that I have known Ray almost as long as I have known my father. When I chose to go to Iowa State over the school in Iowa City, my father said that it was OK since Ray went there.
Mitchell Heldt
Sycamore
IL
A lifetime of fond memories go into this final salute to a dear friend. Thank you Ray.
Gene Heldt
Oelwein
IA
I was pleased to know Ray. Our paths crossed many times when he was in the CR Building Department. He was a real gentleman. Maybe not the best bowler, but a nice friend to know. My sympathies to his family Jack M.
Jack C. Miller
Solon
IA
Nancy, Jim, Linda, and Bill, My parents sent my brothers and me notice about Ray's death. How sorry I was to hear of his passing. You were the finest of neighbors and we spent many happy years next door from 1968 to 1986. Like others here have commented, rooms were remodeled, the roof was repaired, and there was always a lending hand from you. I remember Ray's big booming voice calling out to those wonderful labs, Fritzi and Dana, and seeing how much they adored him. Perhaps one of my fondest memories was of hearing Ray playing his guitar and harmonica on the back patio with you, his family, gathered around on summer evenings. How blessed I was to know him. God's peace, Laura (Peterson) Haynie Dallas, Texas John 14:3
Laura Haynie
Dallas
TX
Nancy,Gary Davidson told me of Ray's passing. It brought back lots of memories of school in Oelwein. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's good you have your family to help you through it. God bless.
Carol (Conner) Kane
Plymouth
CA
Dear Nancy and Family Please accept our sympathy on Ray's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I find it hard to put down all the thoughts and memories I have of one of my best friends going way back to kindergarten. Those thoughts and memories will stay in my mind and heart. Russ and Shirley
Russell and Shirley Clemens
Lemont
IL
Ray was one of the good guys in this world. He was a gentle giant. He usually had a smile on his face. He was always so helpful and generous. I will always remember the first time I met him. I was in college and had no money. He heard my dog was in the pound and he gave me $30 to get my dog out without even knowing me. That made quite an impression on me. Through the years I've only heard good things about Ray Nissen from others. Ray and Nancy raised such a great family. He was a great example to them. He will certainly be missed and never forgotten.
Jon Klein
Cedar Rapids
IA
Dear Nancy and family- I was sorry to hear about Ray's passing. I never failed to think about Ray whenever I took a shower and threw the wash cloth over the shower door trying to make two points by hitting the sink! Our thoughts go out to you, Nancy, and your family. Tom and Jeanne Bale
Tom and Jeanne Bale
Ridgecrest
CA
It was an honor to have known Ray & I thought of him as a friend. I think of him often & many of the memories make me laugh and/or smile. I worked with Ray for years in the City of CR Bldg Dept. We would, sometimes on great days, go for walks over our lunch hour. I had to take two steps to Ray’s one. He & Phil Saunders, then Fire Marshal, would giggle & laugh like school boys at times when they were supposed to be doing the serious business of checking plans. They were infectious & would soon have all of us laughing. He was well known in the office for his “whoopee” at the end of the work week. The whoopee’s always came at times of dead silence in the office, startling everyone out of their work week stupor & revving us up for the weekend. He made work easier by making it more fun. He was also a great source of knowledge. I often went to him with my questions & if he didn't have the answer then he soon would. I missed him when he retired. When we took a walnut tree down in our backyard Ray really wanted the log - to make things. He made me a bowl from it. I wonder how many other “things” he got out of that log. I also have an original banana holder that is stamped with “Handcrafted by Ray Nissen 96”. I have a feeling there were many banana holders. He spoke often of Nancy, his children, & grandchildren. He was very proud of you all. Cherish the memories.
Connie Beck
Cedar Rapids
IA
Nancy, Jim, Bill and Linda: So sorry to hear of your loss. I will never forgot the kindness Ray and Nancy bestowed upon my father for the many years they were neighbors, and also the handling of his estate and many favors the last years of his life. He considered Ray among his very best and loyal friends.
Mary Hofmeister
Moberly
MO
The 1953 classmates will be choosing a selection for the Oelwein Public Library in memory of class vice president Ray Nissen. Nancy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. The Reunion Committee
Oelwein Class Reunion Committee
Oelwein
IA
Nancy and family, Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss. Ray will be missed.
Duane Anton
Cedar Rapids
IA
Dear Nancy and family, We live in Mission, TX, in the winter time, and just heard about Ray's death. We were so sorry to hear the news. Ray and I were good friends, and I will always remember him as Ray, "Fritz Schmitz", Nissen. We had a lot of fun together when we were traveling on the road, playing golf , and laughing. Ray helped us remodel our complete basement in our house. I remember him hitting his head on the ceiling and door frames so many times while he was doing that! I will sure miss him. He was a true friend. Don and Phyl Michels