Carroll Lee Rairden

Carroll Lee Rairden, 84, of Keokuk IA, died Thursday, October 3, 2019, at his home. He was born on October 29, 1934, in Warsaw, IL, the son of Raymond and Lillian Stuckwisch Rairden. He was united in marriage to Faye Symmonds on February 28, 1953. She survives. Other survivors include four sons, Steve Rairden (Lisa) of Keokuk, Dave Rairden (Melanie) of Williamsburg, IA, Dan Rairden (Teresa) of Keokuk, and Paul Rairden (Denise) of Montrose, IA, two daughters, Rhonda Nelson (Ron) of Des Moines, IA, and Kathy Hayner (Charlie) of Keokuk, twenty grandchildren (Steve Jr., Melissa, Shane, Matt, Adam, Alexis, Samantha, Isaac, Olivia, Emilee, Jessica, Jacob, Josh, Jordan, Austin, Andrew, Charlie, Amy, Braxton and Bryar), seventeen great-grandchildren, one sister, Carma Kirby of Hamilton, IL, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, two sisters and four brothers. Carroll was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served his country. He was a faithful member of New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk. Carroll achieved his lifelong dream of opening his own towing and auto salvage business. Rairden's Auto Salvage has been in business in Keokuk for more than 53 years. He was actively involved in managing the business until his death. He was a successful businessman whose knowledge and expertise in the field of towing and recovery was well-known and respected in the Midwest. Carroll loved classic cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and flying. He obtained his private pilot license in the early 1980's and flew for many years. Carroll was proud of his family and was a constant presence for his children and grandchildren. He was one of a kind, and touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., October 9th, at the New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk with Pastors Derek Olsen and Mike Shea officiating. Visitation was held after 1 p.m., October 8th, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA, with family meeting with friends from 5 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lee County Reserve Officers, the Keokuk Humane Society, or St. Jude Children's Hospital.