Raymond C. Guritz, 96, of Spirit Lake, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will follow at Lakeland Memory Gardens in Spirit Lake, with lunch served afterward at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be directed to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Veterans Community Project, an organization that provides tiny homes and support services to veterans. Donations may be made at vcp.org.
Ray was born on July 21, 1930, to William and Ida (Froendt) Guritz. He grew up in the Spirit Lake area and graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1947.
After high school, Ray began farming with his father until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Korea as a Private First Class with the 424th Field Artillery Battalion, where he was stationed with Battery Headquarters north of the 38th parallel. Ray was proud of his military service, and it remained important to him throughout his life. Following his discharge, he returned home and went back to farming. On March 4, 1956, he married Jane Inbody in Spirit Lake, where they farmed and began raising their family.
In 1965, Ray and Jane left the farm, and he began working for his brother-in-law, Floyd Gilbert, building and remodeling homes. He eventually began building homes on his own, and as word of his good work spread, many people came to him to build custom cabinets. In 1972, he went to work for the Iowa Department of Transportation, where he worked until retiring in 1993.
At home, Ray could often be found helping Jane in her flower gardens or taking care of the kids’ horses. He was always willing to put his building skills to use helping his kids build, remodel or fix up their homes. Ray and Jane were there to take care of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever they were needed, and they enjoyed the time they spent with their family.
Ray especially enjoyed helping his son, Eugene, drag race in Humboldt, Iowa. Ray served as crew chief, always making sure Eugene had a safe car to race.
Ray was a quiet man, but he enjoyed telling stories about things he and his family had experienced over the years. His family may have heard some of those stories more than once, but they never minded hearing them again.
Ray will be deeply missed by his children, Lori (Tom) Hendricks of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Eugene (Stephanie) Guritz of Spirit Lake; Mary (Randy) Finnern of Spirit Lake; Susan (Clay) Seachris of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Cheryl (Mike) Hopkins of Walker, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kyle Finnern, Rachel (Jeremy) Barnes, Andy Guritz, Josh Guritz, Megan Guritz, Jordan (Tony) Porreca and Alissa (Tyler) Van Middendorp; eleven great-grandchildren, Bailee, Kane, Brynlee, Miya, Kylo, Naveah, Zainey, Stryker, Reign, Penelope and Graham; and his sister, Lois.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; his parents, William and Ida Guritz; and his siblings, Art, Arlene and Dorothy.