Raymond O. Nerhus, age 101, a resident of Monarch Landing in Naperville, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. He was born July 7, 1920 in Hamilton, Ohio to Olav & Anna Nerhus.

Raymond's family soon moved to Chicago where he was raised and served as class president of the first graduating class of Foreman High School (1937) and met his wife, Astrid Andreasen. He graduated from Armour Technical Institute (now Illinois Institute of Technology) with a degree in mechanical engineering and began his career with Bell and Howell.

In 1949 he, Astrid, and eldest daughter, Marcia, moved to England for a five-year period to work on a joint project between Bell and Howell and British engineers. There his other two daughters were born. After returning to the U.S., he worked for American Machine and Foundry and completed an MBA at the University of Chicago. He then was self-employed, representing many companies with automation equipment for the manufacturing industry.

Raymond was a talented baritone, singing and directing choirs in several churches. He also served his Savior through teaching youth and adult Sunday School classes. In his retirement, Raymond also loved to paint, displaying his artwork in several venues at Monarch Landing. He was active for many years in the North Polar Star Lodge of Sons of Norway. An avid reader, he most often read 4-5 books at a time, which always led to engaging conversations. But he will be remembered most by many generations of family and friends for his faithful example of following Christ.

He is survived by his three daughters: Marcia (Douglas) Benson, Sharen (Daniel) Sommerville, and Jillian (Jonathan) Lederhouse; nine grandchildren: Sonja Benson, Krista (Paul) Bilbraut, Thor (Kettie) Benson, Scott (Evie) Sommerville, Lynn Sommerville, Mark (Jamie) Sommerville, Jamelyn (Brian) Lederhouse Gordon, Jeremy (Natalie) Lederhouse, and Julia (Peter) Buckingham; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Astrid; and his sisters Borghild Johnsen, Marion Michaelsen & Eleanor Nerhus.

A private family burial will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois. A memorial visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST through this link: https://youtu.be/D74132KO4jc .

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Astrid and Raymond Nerhus Memorial Merit Education Scholarship at Wheaton College at : https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1156/MRD18/interior.aspx?sid=1156&gid=1&pgid=2631&cid=5716&dids=207&bledit=1 .

Or to the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1156/MRD18/interior.aspx?sid=1156&gid=1&pgid=2631&cid=5716&dids=208&bledit=1

Donations by check may be made to Wheaton College and sent to: Advancement Services, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187. Please kindly note in the memo line that the gift is in memory of Raymond Nerhus.