1930
Raphael
2006
Raphael James Rea
October 24, 1930 — July 18, 2006
Raphael J. Rea, 75, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at his home in Waukon, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 20th at 11:00 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial with graveside military rites will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery at West Ridge, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 4:00 pm scripture service.
Raphael James Rea was born on October 24, 1930 in Waukon, IA, the son of Robert and Marie (Mellick) Rea. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in West Ridge, where he remained a member until its closing. Raphael attended Union Prairie #2 rural school and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1949. From 1951 until 1953 he served as a Corporal in the US Marine Corps, spending most of the time in California and attending mechanic school in Oceanside. On May 10, 1952 he married Joyce Huffman at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oceanside. Following his military service, he returned to Waukon where he worked for Al Burg Implement. They then moved to Cedar Rapids where he worked for Freuhauf Trailer and Hubbard Ice. In 1956 Raphael and Joyce returned to Waukon to operate the Rea family Century Farm in Union Prairie Township. They raised dairy and beef cattle, hogs, chickens and various crops. He also operated Raphael Rea Trucking while on the farm, using "Big Red" to haul a wide variety of agricultural products. In 1994 they retired and moved to Waukon and Raphael took a job in maintenance with Gemini, Inc of Decorah for several years.
Raphael was a member of American Legion, Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. When his children were younger he started the West Ridge Riders 4-H Club and served as its leader. He enjoyed going to farm sales and auctions to visit with his friends. He loved to tell stories about interesting times he had, and often kept his grandchildren's attention for long periods of time with tales of days gone by. Raphael liked playing cards and horseshoes, camping with his family, and dancing with Joyce at many of the area dance halls.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of Waukon; 9 children, James (Judy) of Lake Mills, IA, Pam (Bob) Winters of Waukon, Mary (Kenneth) Hansen of Wyoming, IA, Pat of Waukon, Carol (Dave) Hanson, Carla (Dan) Leidahl and Rick (Lori), all of Decorah, Robert (Amy) of Red Wing, MN and Laurie Samuelson of Fennimore, WI; 25 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond (Lois) Rea of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Mary Hicks of Rockford, IL; and a grandpuppy, "CJ". He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William.
Honorary casketbearers are Kenny Fahey, Wilbur Rose, John Urell, Tom Baxter, Pat Curtin, Bernard Berns, Dave Johnson, Tom Collins and Jim Ryan. Casketbearers are Reggie Rea, Darcy Winters, Kraig Hansen, Paul Rea, Mitch Hanson, Josh Leidahl, Jacob Rea and Andy Samuelson.
Raphael James Rea was born on October 24, 1930 in Waukon, IA, the son of Robert and Marie (Mellick) Rea. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in West Ridge, where he remained a member until its closing. Raphael attended Union Prairie #2 rural school and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1949. From 1951 until 1953 he served as a Corporal in the US Marine Corps, spending most of the time in California and attending mechanic school in Oceanside. On May 10, 1952 he married Joyce Huffman at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oceanside. Following his military service, he returned to Waukon where he worked for Al Burg Implement. They then moved to Cedar Rapids where he worked for Freuhauf Trailer and Hubbard Ice. In 1956 Raphael and Joyce returned to Waukon to operate the Rea family Century Farm in Union Prairie Township. They raised dairy and beef cattle, hogs, chickens and various crops. He also operated Raphael Rea Trucking while on the farm, using "Big Red" to haul a wide variety of agricultural products. In 1994 they retired and moved to Waukon and Raphael took a job in maintenance with Gemini, Inc of Decorah for several years.
Raphael was a member of American Legion, Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. When his children were younger he started the West Ridge Riders 4-H Club and served as its leader. He enjoyed going to farm sales and auctions to visit with his friends. He loved to tell stories about interesting times he had, and often kept his grandchildren's attention for long periods of time with tales of days gone by. Raphael liked playing cards and horseshoes, camping with his family, and dancing with Joyce at many of the area dance halls.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of Waukon; 9 children, James (Judy) of Lake Mills, IA, Pam (Bob) Winters of Waukon, Mary (Kenneth) Hansen of Wyoming, IA, Pat of Waukon, Carol (Dave) Hanson, Carla (Dan) Leidahl and Rick (Lori), all of Decorah, Robert (Amy) of Red Wing, MN and Laurie Samuelson of Fennimore, WI; 25 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond (Lois) Rea of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Mary Hicks of Rockford, IL; and a grandpuppy, "CJ". He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William.
Honorary casketbearers are Kenny Fahey, Wilbur Rose, John Urell, Tom Baxter, Pat Curtin, Bernard Berns, Dave Johnson, Tom Collins and Jim Ryan. Casketbearers are Reggie Rea, Darcy Winters, Kraig Hansen, Paul Rea, Mitch Hanson, Josh Leidahl, Jacob Rea and Andy Samuelson.
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