Raymond F. Kerwood

Raymond F. Kerwood was born on a farm Northeast of Alexandria, to Donald and Ruth DeFrain Kerwood on June 15, 1927. He passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 at Bryan East Hospital, Lincoln, NE at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 3 days.

He attended rural school Dist. 30 of Jefferson Co. and Dist 21 of Thayer Co. He graduated from Alexandria High School in 1944.
Raymond was baptized and joined the Alexandria Presbyterian Church on April 6, 1944, where he served as an Elder for many terms.

He married Belva L. Schmitt on June 12, 1949 at Daykin and they farmed and raised cattle until retiring. They lived Northwest of Alexandria, until 1968, when they moved a house and made their home 5 miles North of Alexandria.

Two sons were born to this union, Douglas of Utica, NE and David of Blue Springs, MO. He has 5 grandsons and 7 great-grandchildren. Raymond farmed with his father, Donald and brother, Marvin in a partnership “Kerwood Farms”. A farm sale was held in April, 2005, when both brothers retired.

Raymond was a Charter Member helping organize the Thayer County Livestock Feeders Association in 1963. Raymond was a 4-H Leader for many years, also serving on the 4-H Council and Extension Board of Thayer Co. He joined the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department in 1965 and was active in this organization until his death, where he served every office. He became an EMT in 1973. He was also on the Rural Fire Board 36 years of which he was Secretary-Treasurer for 30 years.

He joined the Alexandria Masonic Lodge AF & AM #74 in 1951, serving in every office, later transferring to Hebron Lodge AF & AM #43 when the Alexandria Lodge transferred to the Hebron Lodge. Raymond was a school bus driver for the Meridian Public Schools for 22 years, from 1969-1991, where he took a special pride in his school kids.

Raymond was an avid collector of farm implement toys and fire trucks. He also enjoyed attending farm sales and garage sales in his spare time. He was a firm believer in donating blood to the Red Cross Blood Mobile and gave 18 gallons before his Doctor requested him to quit.

Survivors include his wife, Belva; sons Douglas (Lori) Kerwood of Utica NE and David (Roxanne) of Blue Springs, MO ; grandchildren Daniel (Cindy) Kerwood of Alexandria, NE; Benjamin (AF) Kerwood of Lincoln, NE; Nicholas Kerwood of York, NE; Christopher (Jennifer) Kerwood of Grand Junction, CO; Eric (Leah) Kerwood of Sedalia, MO; great-grandchildren Naomi Kerwood, Zack Kerwood, Abby Kerwood, Austin Kerwood, Rylan Kerwood, Brady Kerwood, Elias Kerwood,Sister-in-law; Mildred Kerwood, and brother Kenneth (Jeanne) Kerwood of Bruning, NE. and nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death include his parents, Donald and Ruth (DeFrain) Kerwood, his brother Marvin.

Services will be Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, NE. with Pastor Lana Likens officiating. Burial will be in the Alexandria Public Cemetery. Memorials will go to Presbyterian Church or Alexandria Fire Department. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of the arrangements.