Lois Saeger Raymond

Lois Ruth Saeger Raymond a loyal wife, mother, grandmother, was received by her Lord Jesus on August 13, 2024. She passed peacefully in the presence of her daughter and son.

Lois was brought into this world on brisk fall day on October 29, 1932 in York, Nebraska. The daughter of Lydia and Reverand Alfred Saeger. She was often described as a "mother figure" to both young and old secondary to both her compassion, wisdom, and her willingness to listen and provide support.

Lois lived a full and interesting life. Following high school and bored with small town life, she courageously left rural America to pursue a career in nursing. Brave and ambitious, she took several buses and a train to New York City. While attending New York University, not only did she excel in nursing, Lois was also a national debate champion later haunting both family, friends, and foes. No one could win an argument with her, at least in her eyes.

During her nursing clinical rotations, the homesick girl from Nebraska met her best friend, and future husband HP Raymond, M.D. They were inseparable, immensely enjoying some 62 years of marriage. Following their first couple years of marriage Harry was drafted into the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. The Air Force allowed Lois to accompany her devoted husband to Chaumont, France; Bitburg, Germany; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (1955-1959). During these years Lois and Harry visited some 26 countries in Europe which eventually became the fuel for her "countless stories", including surgery on the base mascot for cirrhosis of the liver. Apparently, the mule enjoyed too many beers over the years with surgeons on the base (true story).

Lois has always been a shrewd and savvy business woman. While stationed in Chaumont, France she recognized that she could get the doctors an additional eight percent if she cashed their payroll checks in Germany. So, every few weeks she would drive solo some 500 kilometers to Germany to cash six of the doctors' checks.

Following Harry's service in the Air Force, the couple settled in Orlando, Florida. Lois became an integral part of Harry's medical practice, acting not only as his office nurse, but she did the scheduling, billing, etc. Anything and everything associated with that office Lois handled. More importantly, she personalized their medical practice. In an effort to assist Harry's bedside manner, many of the patients' charts would have her personal notes, i.e. reminding Harry how many children the patient had, their names, and endeavors. For some 36 years, an office visit was often similar to a visit with family.

Over the years Harry earned the initial money while Lois parlayed those funds into prime real estate deals. When someone would not sell her one acre on Lake Conway, she convinced eight friends to purchase and develop 52 acres, (Harbour Island - named after her favorite place in the Bahamas).

She went on to purchase invaluable parcels of land throughout the state of Florida.

Following the death of Harry six years ago, she lived independently into her late eighties. She filed her own taxes, managed rental properties and other family real estate, including living by herself in a 4500 square foot house on six and a half acres.

Close friends and family members would plead with her to move into a safer environment. Her reply, "I pray every night that I am safe, I am fine!" Translated..."Do not mess with me. I will do as I will until God says otherwise." Some twenty months ago she had medical challenges and we were finally able to convince her to move into a safer environment for a trial period. This sadly became her last hoorah here on earth. Do not despair, she left earth some nineteen hours prior to what would be their 69th wedding anniversary so she could be happily reunited with Harry (the first time she was early for anything).

Lois is survived by her two children, Dardanella Yawman (Gregg), and H Paul Raymond; four grandchildren, Emily Cooper (Cameron), Jonathan Yawman, Daniel Yawman (Liz), and Hannah Yawman; three great grandchildren Miles, Carson, and Griffin Cooper. Also, nieces and nephews Becky Saeger Graves (Tom), Kris Saeger, David Saeger (Eileen), Debbie Huebner Knight (David, Timothy Huebner (Barbara), Diane Huebner. Certainly, we will all miss this "hard-nosed German" dearly.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 26th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 123 E. Livingston St, Orlando; (407) 488-1919. Interment will be held Tuesday, August 27th, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 525 US-1, North Mims; (321) 383-2638.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School. Arrangements entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home, 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806; phone (407) 895-2561.