Raymond Windschitl

Raymond Windschitl, better known as Ray or Smiley, accepted his invitation into

heaven to be there for Christmas and the rest of eternity, on Friday, December 12, 2014. He was born on November 3, 1931, in Mulligan Township in Brown County,



Minnesota, to Fred and Catherine (Remiger) Windschitl. He was raised and educated in Comfrey, Minnesota, graduating in 1950. He then entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea for two years being discharged in 1953. In 1959, he married Marilyn Woldengen in Fairfax, Minnesota, on August 4th, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. They lived in Fairfax until 1977, when they moved to Detroit Lakes. In

Fairfax, Ray had his own construction company. Upon moving to Detroit Lakes, to their home on Long Lake, he was a construction inspector, for Farmers' Home Administration of the Federal Government, until his retirement in 1994. While in Fairfax, Ray was active as a member of the city council, fire chief, rescue squad, Police Commission, VFW, American Legion, and was also a reader and member of the Knights of Columbus, in St. Andrew's Church. In Detroit Lakes Ray was a member of VFW, American Legion, DAV, NARFE, and a very faithful member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, serving on the building committee, and as an usher. He also built and donated three statue pedestals for the church. Many beautiful wood creations were built by Ray in his shop. Among them were an entertainment center, a curio cabinet, two queen sized beds, a bed headboard, a cedar chest, a chest of drawers, a dresser, a deacon's bench, game boards, and his gifts to Holy Rosary. He loved his shop and spent much time creating these things during his retirement. He very much treasured time with his family and proudly attended his children's and









grandchildren's activities. He especially treasured spending time with his great grandchild, Conner, who truly loved and called Ray his "Great Grandpa". For many years, Ray also looked forward to deer hunting and spending time with his buddies at the deer shack. Ray and Marilyn loved to travel and would travel to many places each summer during Ray's vacation time and after Marilyn retired, they spent from 3 to 5 months in Texas for seventeen years where they met terrific friends. A trip to Europe and one to China were highlights. He also always looked forward to Marilyn's family's reunion in southern Minnesota each year. He is remembered for his ever present smile and twinkle in his eye. Almost daily visits to Main Street were part of his retirement as well. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, his daughter Jolene Johnson of Winnecone, Wisconsin, with her children, Brock, Ben, and Brittney Johnson, Ray's son, Jeffrey (Joanna) of Waconia and their two sons, Jonah (Ashley) and Justin, Ray's daughter LeAnn (Tim) Burke of Ottertail and their two children, Jessica and Joshua (Holly), two great-grandchildren, Conner and one on the way. Ray's daughter Paula (Jeremy) Bimberg of Frazee. There are also two sisters-in-law, Rosella Windschitl of Sleepy Eye and Evelyn Windschitl of Mankato as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings - Eleanor Sellner, Mildred Lang, Sylvester. Melvin, and Richard. Life will seem empty without Ray and he will be missed by his wife, loving family, and the many friends that he has met throughout his life.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Service
Friday, December 19, 2014

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