Raymond F. Van De Wiele

Raymond F. Van De Wiele

Ray Van De WieleRaymond F. Van De Wiele age 81 of Tracy, formerly of Walnut Grove passed away Monday, February 3, 2014 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy surrounded by his family.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 7 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.  Burial is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Walnut Grove.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy and Compassionate Care Hospice in Worthington.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.

Raymond F. Van De Wiele was born July 19, 1932 on the family farm in Springdale Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, to George and Elisa (Maeyaert) Van De Wiele.  He was baptized on July 24th, 1932 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, and he was later confirmed there as a youth.  Ray attended country school northeast of Tracy, and later attended Walnut Grove Public School.  On August 20, 1952, Ray was united in marriage to Beverly Lavicky at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 28, 1953 and served during the Korean War.  He received his honorable discharge on December 2, 1954.  After his military service, Ray returned to the Walnut Grove area.  He began dairy farming northeast of Walnut Grove in North Hero Township.  Together the couple lived on the home farm for 25 years until 1983 when they moved one mile to the west.  They lived there another 25 years before moving to Tracy in 2008.  Over the years Ray did assorted custom welding work with metals, and he enjoyed working on his own machinery.  Ray served as Commander of the American Legion Alfred Nelson Post 267 in Walnut Grove, and was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove.  Ray enjoyed spending time on the lakes fishing, pontooning, and boating.   Another of Ray’s hobbies he enjoyed was playing rolle bolle.  Ray and Bev experienced many travels together including Alaska, Mexico, and Florida.  They also spent four years wintering in Arizona.  Ray loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bev of Tracy; children: Fran (Teresa) of Garvin, Jeff (Sharri) of Milroy, Laurie (Greg) Vosberg of Tracy, and Lisa (Tim) Schenk of Harrisburg, SD; grandchildren: Travis Van De Wiele (Kim Keul), Amy (Eric) Trulock & Abby (Michael) Hubin, SrA Philip (SrA Laira) Van De Wiele, Derek, Dayna, & Destiny Vosberg, Lance Corporal Mitchell Schenk, and Meagan Schenk; great-grandchildren: Sydney Vanderwall & Olivia Van De Wiele, Hattie, Lilly, & Aubrey Trulock, Mikayla, Gabrielle, & Reilly Hubin.  He is further survived by his siblings: Alice Vandendriessche, Julie (Jim) Claeys, twin brother Rich (Pearl) Van De Wiele, Maurice (Judy) Van De Wiele; brothers-in-law Fran (Marcia) Lavicky and Denny Lavicky; and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents George and Elisa, mother and father-in-law Ted and Lil Lavicky, grandson-in-law Chris Hannasch, brothers Oscar and Augie Van De Wiele, sister Mary Vandeputte, sisters-in-law Rita and Marlene, brothers-in-law Don Vandeputte and Paul Vandendriessche.

11 thoughts on “Raymond F. Van De Wiele”

  1. My great uncle Ray is the sort of man who others will never be. He established a life, family, and principles that take a lifetime to perfect. His vision, talent, and perservance are second to none. My grandfather (Oscar) Ray’s older brother was also a man in my life who installed a work ethic in me that caused me to pursue the American dream. I think there is something about this famly – thru the mentorship of my uncle Ray and Granpa Oscar – via my dad Leon – who sincerely appreciated Ray for his guidance as my dad entered his calling as a farmer – they propelled me into life as a man that made me who I am. His legacy will live through not only me but thru his children and people he touched. God bless

  2. Lisa and family ~ I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. I have been thinking about you so much lately during this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

  3. Ed & Teresa Gilbertson

    Jeff & Sharri – Both Ed & I have each lost a parent in the last year and know how hard it can be….just know, you and your family are surrounded by family & friends that are here to help during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  4. Dear Bev and Family, My sincerest sympathy and prayers go to you. How lucky you were to have him all these years. Cliff had great admiration for him. With the cold, I won’t be able to be with you at the funeral, but my thoughts will be there. Melba

  5. We are very sorry for your loss and whish we could be there with you but we are presently in Texas visiting our son and avoiding the below 0 weather. We always enjoyed visiting with Ray. He seemed to always have a smile on his face and loved to give you a bad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
    Don and Alice Zeug

  6. Fran & Marcia Lavicqky

    Today we are remembering a proud farmer who always had a smile. I (Fran) have the first memories of Ray sitting on his lap and begging him for gum when he dated Bev. In summer and winter he enjoyed fishing and shared this with us by inviting us to his ice man cave. We always enjoyed driving up the driveway to a neat as a pin farm yard he and Bev were very proud of. Ray and Bev spent hours chasing each other with those matching riding mowers. This loving broth-in-law will be missed by our family. Old man winter is preventing us from traveling to Minnesota for the celebration of Ray’s life, however, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

    Fran & Marcia
    Jennifer & Jason

  7. I have good memories of Uncle Ray, especially ice fishing. Many times when I drive to work I see all of the ice shacks on the lakes in town and think of ice fishing with Ray, although his shelter was more like an ice mansion opposed to a shack. Our thoughts are with you.

    Jason Lavicky and Family

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