Raymond Fred Henry Grauerholz, son of Fritz Andrew & Ella Katharina (Norden) Grauerholz, left this earthly life to be with his Heavenly Father on July 10, 2018 at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas at the age of 89.

He was born June 3, 1929, in Kensington, Kansas, and grew up on the farm near Kensington where he attended school and graduated from high school.

He was inducted into the United States Marine Corp on October 26, 1951 and served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on October 25, 1953. Within the last six years Raymond had begun sharing his experiences from Korea with his family, and they were just beginning to realize some of the trials he'd had to overcome during his military service. He was very proud to be a retired Marine and enjoyed the opportunity to wear his hat and coat on the Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C.

On April 29, 1955, Raymond was united in marriage to Cecilia Seemann in Kensington. The couple's lives revolved around farming and raising their four children – Marcus, Melinda, Marcia and Dian.

Raymond was a lifelong member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington where he served on the church council, as a Sunday school teacher, and assisted with various other duties. He loved his Lord and Savior and demonstrated it by sharing his message with everyone – family, friends and strangers. He read his Bible daily and enjoyed watching ministers on TV; however, his favorite shows were really the old-time cartoons – Tom & Jerry, Wiley Coyote & the Road Runner, Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd, and all the rest from that golden era.

After retiring from the farm, Raymond & Cecilia moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas. They were fortunate to have 56 years together before Cecilia's death in 2011. Raymond soon became a regular customer at Shelly Ann's on Friday mornings, drank coffee at the Bakery, especially on Tuesdays for the apple fritters, and enjoyed lunch weekly at the Pizza Hut. In order to stay active he joined the Wellness Center and exercised faithfully every morning.

Raymond was a very generous man all his life and gave freely to others in need. He always said, "I don't know if we get to eat in Heaven . . . but I sure hope they have PIE!"

His parents, wife Cecilia, sister, Stella Oldham, and granddaughter, Mary Zillinger Cates preceded him in death.

Survivors include his children: Marcus & wife, Marcia, of Olathe, KS; Melinda Ewing & husband, Ron, of Alliance, NE; Marcia Nelson & husband, Terry, of Almena, KS; and Dian Tien & husband, Jan, of Prairie View, KS; as well as 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastors Lee Bennight and Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Mr. Grauerholz will lie in-state on Thursday, July 12, from noon – 9 p.m. and again Friday, July 13, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church.