Raymond August Banowetz

Raymond “Ray” August Banowetz, 98, formerly of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 1790 14th Street, in Marion, Iowa, where a visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the mass time. The Reverend Neil Manternach will officiate. Cremation rites will follow the mass on Friday. Inurnment and committal services will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Maquoketa, Iowa, with Reverend Ben Nkrumah officiating. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, of Marion, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ray was born in Clinton County, Iowa on August 22, 1927, one of 15 children to Michael “Mike” and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Reuter) Banowetz. On June 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Alma S. (Kloft) Banowetz at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Together, they raised three sons: Gary, Bernard, and Thomas.

Ray served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was employed for 32 years in the Postal Service starting in Cedar Rapids, the Postmaster at Tipton, Iowa, and Marion, where he retired in 1986. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus 5390 in Marion and Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary. Ray was an avid golfer, card player, and enjoyed doing volunteer work for many organizations.

On April 29, 2009, Alma preceded Ray into eternal life.

Later, on September 25, 2010, Ray married Patricia Ann Berglund at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion, South Dakota. Sadly, Patricia also preceded Ray into eternal life.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his three sons, Gary (Sandie) Banowetz of Corvallis, Oregon, Bernard (Julie) Banowetz of Central Point, Oregon and Thomas (Cindy) Banowetz of Marion, Iowa; one sister, Dolores Banowetz, OSF, of Dubuque, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Anna Mae Banowetz of Houma, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Katie Jo (Brandon) Carey, Aaron (Liz) Banowetz, Matt (Sarah) Banowetz, Sarah (Amos) Eason, and Daniel Banowetz; 12 great-grandchildren, Sophia & Maxine Carey, Abigail & Collin Banowetz, Joseph, Jonathan, Abigail & Rebekah Banowetz, and Beza & Nati Kejella, and Cadence Pierce & Warren Eason born September 29, 2025; and a host of many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first and second wives, Ray was preceded into eternal life by his parents; ten brothers, Leo, Victor, Lawrence, Vincent, Leonard, Walter, Paul, Theodore, Norbert and Donald Banowetz; three sisters, Elizabeth McDevitt, Gertrude Weis Daehler, and Clara Weis Hermiston; and one grandson, Andrew Banowetz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray’s name may be directed to Camp Courageous of Iowa.