Norman Raner

Norman Gale, son of Curtis and Nora (Ireland) Raner was born on November 7, 1917 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He attended school in Guthrie County and then moved to California as a young man to work at his uncle's restaurant. After the Great Depression he returned to the Guthrie Center area where worked in several coal mines around Fansler. He also worked on the CCC Camp projects to build both Springbrook State Park and the Panora Lennon Mill Dam. Norman joined the United States Army through the Iowa National Guard in 1941 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He became a proud member of the 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division and saw action in both Africa and Italy. Norman held the rank of Sergeant and served as an army scout while in Africa. He was involved in many battles in Tunisia including Faid Pass, Fonduk and the Battle for Hill 609. He went on to fight in a bitter campaign in southern Italy in such battles as Monte Pantano, the crossing of the Rapido River, Monte Cassino and Anzio. He was awarded a battlefield commission and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on Christmas day 1943 by General Mark Clark. He was wounded at the Battle of Monte Cassino and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, three Major Battlefield insignias, and numerous other medals. Norman and his wife Lois (Rose) were long time residents of Perry where they operated Raner Decorating. They retired in 1993 and moved to Arizona. They moved back to Iowa in 1999 and made their home in Bayard. Norman was recognized in recent years by being awarded the Order of St. Maurice National Infantryman's Medal and was featured on the History Channel for his bravery and leadership at the Battle of Hill 609. In his 80's, Norman was often invited to speak to students about World War II and was also very active in the history museum at Camp Dodge. He was very proud of his military service and had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington DC in the summer of 2009. Norman had been in ill health for a few months and was moved to the Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids on the Sunday June 13, 2010. He passed away there on Friday, June 18, 2010 at the age of 92 years. Preceding him in death are his parents; granddaughter Marnie McLeod Gunderson; great-grandsons Matthew and Joshua Smith; brother Clifford Raner and sisters Marie Ward and Pauline Lynge. He is survived by his wife Lois Raner of Bayard; sons Phil Raner of Clear Lake; Don Tague of Bayard and Dennis Tague of Des Moines; daughters Shannon Moore of West Palm Beach, FL and Linda McLeod of Phoenix, AZ; and sister LaVaun Hill of Bagley. He was very fortunate to have many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and true friends. Officiating PASTOR KATHY VANGUNDY Speakers DEBRA SMITH JOHN SHIRBROUN PATRICK MCALISTER DARCY DOTY EULOGY - PHIL RANER Music PROCESSIONAL - MILITARY MEDLEY "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC" "AMERICA" RECESSIONAL - "ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS" MARTHA WOLF , ORGANIST Casket Bearers WAYNE BROWN JACK TUEL RICHARD SAEMISCH DALE SHIRBROUN BILL CORNISH JACK SMITH