Raymond Monroe Davis

Raymond Monroe Davis, age 92 of Spencer, Iowa passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning, December 19, 2025 at St. Luke Lutheran Home.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. at Warner Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Pastor Joseph Leggett. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery.

Raymond is survived by his daughters, Rhonda (Dave) Kubik of Dubuque, Iowa; Jeannie (Kevin) Staples of Spencer, Iowa; daughter-in-law Tahlene Davis of Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as grandchildren, Rob (Heather) Kubik of Durango, Iowa; Amanda (Adam) Elkin of Marion, Iowa; Nicole (John) Seibert of Spencer, Iowa; Kyle (Maggie) Staples of Navarre, Florida; Chad (Clara) Davis of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Christine Davis of Breckenridge, Colorado. Surviving great grandchildren: Logan and Lily Kubik; Ethan and Miles Elkin; Hutton, Acklin and Whitten Staples; Calvin and Lainey Seibert; and Conrad and Ronan Davis.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randy Davis; sisters Louise, Mildred, Gracie and brothers Harvey, Ivan and Clarence. Also by his partner Judy Gilman and his grandson Bradley Kubik.

Raymond was born on a farm on January 26, 1933 near Dickens Iowa. It was a cold, windy and snowing night when brothers Harvey and Ivan rode a horse three miles to Dickens to get a doctor. Raymond came into this world about an hour before the doctor arrived. Those present were his mother (Nellie), father (Charles), as well as his sisters and brothers.

Raymond grew up in Spencer and a few farms around the area. Life was tough and he frequently talked about the food insecurity their family experienced in his younger years. For a brief time, his family lived on the “Goat House” farm owned by Jesse Ditton south of Spencer. They had several goats there as well. Raymond and his sisters named the goats.

When he was 14 years old, he worked for a farmer for the summer and lived with the family too. He worked hard and the family treated him very kindly and gave him lots of good food. Due to his mother’s allergies, every fall they went to Bemidji, Minnesota for 6 weeks to escape the pollen. Each year he would start school in Bemidji and return to Spencer schools in late September.

Raymond enlisted in the Army on September 1, 1953 where he spent two years. Being at a time of peace, his time in the service was all served state-side in Kansas, Arkansas and Virginia. A childhood friend, Alvin Andis, joined the Army at the same time and they went through basis training together.

In 1957, he married Gloria Steburg and together they had three children over the 25 years they were married. They also spent every summer going on camping vacations to several states. Raymond worked at the Spencer Packing Company for 23 years until it closed. Following that Ray started buying old houses, remodeling them and renting them out. Over his life he owned 12 houses.

In 1989, Raymond met Judy Gilman, his partner for the next 34 years. They traveled south every winter in his motorhome and also took trips to Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Alaska. They had many happy adventures together before Judy passed away in 2023.

Raymond worked hard all his life and was very outgoing. He made friends easily and enjoyed motorcycles, cars, and especially camping. He spent many summers camping at Lake Okoboji with his family. Raymond said that “Family is the most important thing” – and he loved them all.

Following the Graveside Service, everyone is invited to return to Warner Funeral Home for a time of fellowship and luncheon with the family.

Funeral Services will be livestreamed on Warner Funeral Home Facebook