Raymond R. Kroeger, age 87, of Davenport, formerly of Bennett, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Silvercrest Garner Senior Living, Davenport. A visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Durant Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Raymond was born on Jan. 3, 1938, the son of Emil and Mabel (Meier) Kroeger in Durant. He married Joan Schaeffer on Aug. 24, 1957, at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Davenport. Joan passed away on Sept. 25, 2022.
Raymond and his wife, Joan, began their life together farming in Cedar County for a few years before moving to town in 1967. He spent 21 years working as a tool grinder for Caterpillar in Mt. Joy until they closed in 1988. Not one to stay idle, Raymond later worked as a custodian at Bennett School and as a courtesy clerk at Hy-Vee in Davenport.
Raymond and Joan were avid square dancers and enjoyed traveling together on bus trips to places like Niagara Falls, Colorado, and Nashville. His vegetable garden was a source of pride, and weekends were often spent at garage sales or enjoying a cold Sunday beer with his son, Al. He was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Wilton, but nothing brought him more joy than attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and celebrating holidays surrounded by family. He also had a special fondness for the family’s dogs, who always found a friend in Raymond.
Raymond will be lovingly remembered by his two children, Allen (Vicki) Kroeger of Wilton and Linda (Jim) Connell of Davenport; five grandchildren, Melissa (Craig) Johnson, Nathan (Amanda) Kroeger, Andrew (Liz) Kroeger, Zachary Connell, and Christopher Connell; and six great-grandchildren, Kellen, Calvin, Mila, Arya, Hattie, and Glennon.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; one daughter, Joni Kroeger; one great-granddaughter, Elsie Margaret Joan Kroeger; four brothers, Elmer, Leroy, Henry. and Alvin; and two sisters, Irene Schult and Henrietta Wenndt.
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