Raymond W. Eliason
July 27, 1924 ~ July 2, 2017 (age 92) 92 Years OldShare using:
A Funeral Service for Ray Eliason of Roseau, MN will be held on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 11:00AM at Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 5-7PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN with a prayer service at 7PM, and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Malung Cemetery in Malung, MN. Military Rites will be conducted by the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard.
Ray passed away on Sunday July, 2, 2017 at LifeCare Roseau Manor at the age of 92.
Raymond Wallace Eliason was born in Swift County MN on July 27, 1924, to Bernt and Petra (Torgelson) Eliason. He was baptized and confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church in Big Bend, MN. He attended country school and graduated from high school in Appleton, MN.
While growing up and after high school, he farmed with his dad. On November 28, 1944, Ray entered the Army. He served in Central Europe and received the Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with One Bronze Battle Star, two overseas service bars, Army of Occupation Medal Germany, and Good Conduct Medal. Once his tour was complete, Ray returned home to continue farming with his dad.
On February 6, 1949, Ray married Kathleen Brown in the Little Brown Church in the Vale located in Nashua, Iowa. They farmed in Milan, MN, for many years. He then managed the fertilizer plant in Jackson, MN for two years. In 1972 they moved to Roseau, where Ray managed the Cenex fertilizer plant. After retiring in 1989, Ray volunteered for the Senior Medical Travel Program, driving many miles over the years. His hobbies included fishing (both summer and winter), bowling, cribbage, reading, daily crossword puzzles, and having coffee. Ray was a past Commander of the American Legion Club in Milan. Ray was a member of the Roseau American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW.
Ray had great wit and a good sense of humor. He loved his time with family, loved kids (especially his grandkids), animals, and driving.
Ray is survived by his children: Bruce (Bev) Eliason of Tracy, MN; Bonnie (Don) Nelson of Mound, MN; Karen Halverson of Roseau, MN; and Craig (Sandy) Eliason of Andover, MN; sisters, Beatrice and Erma; grandchildren Darren Eliason, Ryan (Alicia) Eliason, Blake Eliason, Amanda (Randy) Johnson, Andy Halverson, Alex Halverson, Charlie Nelson, Robin Nelson, Eric Eliason; great grandchildren Maddox and Ascher Eliason, Ava and Brayden Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen; parents; brothers Lowell, Gordon and Elmer; sisters Eudell, Verna, and Marilyn; and son-in-law Gary Halverson.