Ray Wahlert

Ray Lyle Wahlert, age 88, of Wiota, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025. He was born on August 23, 1936, as the youngest son of Harold and Winifred (Burns) Wahlert.

Ray grew up on the family farm and graduated from Anita High School in 1954. In 1959, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving with the Military Police at Fort Lee, Virginia, until his honorable discharge in 1960.

Farming was Ray’s passion, and he dedicated his life to raising cattle alongside his family. Even after retiring, he remained active in the agricultural community, working at the sale barn in Anita, where he enjoyed catching up with local farmers and seeing their livestock. Ray had a love for restoring old tractors and took great pride in crafting model replicas of historic buildings, preserving memories of the past.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Winifred Wahlert; his brother, William Wahlert; sister-in-law, Audrey (Aupperle) Wahlert; nephew, Wes Wahlert; and longtime friend, Rex Rathman.

Ray is survived by his nieces, Joni (Bill) Bollinger and Marcy (Kevin) Blazek; his nephew, Wylie (Jean) Wahlert; great-nephews, Eric (Celeste Borts) Wahlert, Spencer (Jalynn Farmer) Wahlert, Michael (Autumn Crecelius) Fleming, Kenneth Blazek and Joel Blazek.

Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, with Pastor Russ Hansen officiating.

The family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the Anita Congregational United Church of Christ Fellowship hall.

In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O Box 523 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita is caring for the Wahlert family at this time.

Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, with Pastor Russ Hansen officiating.

The family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the Anita Congregational United Church of Christ Fellowship hall.

In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O Box 523 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita is caring for the Wahlert family at this time.