Raymond W. Ritland

Raymond W. Ritland, 87, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, at Countryside Retirement Home.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg, Iowa, with the Rev. Glenn Kappelmann officiating. Burial will be in Warren Township Cemetery, McCallsburg. Arrangements in McCallsburg are under the direction of Fredregill Funeral Home in Zearing, Iowa. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, who is in charge of local arrangements. The Rev. Renae Spaulding of Morningside Lutheran Church will officiate.

Raymond was born May 3, 1919, on the family farm near McCallsburg, Iowa, the son of Osmond E. and Kristi Olena "Ina" (Williamson) Ritland. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from McCallsburg High School and received his associate's degree from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. Raymond finished his bachelor's degree at the University of Iowa prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Following his discharge from the military, he received his master's degree and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Iowa. Raymond taught economics at Tulane University in New Orleans for eight years. He later taught at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., for 35 years until retiring. He had also been in the U.S. Army Reserves for over 20 years, retiring as a major. In September 2005, he moved to Sioux City.

Raymond was an avid piano player. He loved both jazz and classical music. He also loved flowers and was known for the beautiful landscaping around his home. He traveled the world over several times. He also wrote a book on labor law, which was later published. He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Auburn, Ala. After moving to Sioux City, he was affiliated with Morningside Lutheran Church.

Survivors include a sister and her husband, Charlotte and Leonard Andersen of Sioux City; and 13 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Rafferty and Dorothy Rabe; three brothers, Raymond in infancy, James Ritland and Curtis Ritland; and a nephew, David Andersen.

Pallbearers will be Steven Rabe, Stanley Rabe, John Ritland, Rich Hilburn, Shane Lesko and Nicholas Andersen.

Memorials are suggested to Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg, Iowa; Waldorf College or Hospice of Siouxland.