Raymond D. Larsen

Raymond D. Larsen, 85, of Franksville died Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Raymond was born to the late William and Gertrude (nee Felber) Larsen on April 6, 1924 in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. He moved to Wisconsin with his family as a young boy. On April 12, 1947, he and the former Doris Leonard were married at St. Louis Catholic Church in Caledonia. Raymond and Doris met in 1945 and had their first date on New Year’s Eve of that year when they went dancing. Raymond was an excellent dancer and loved to polka and waltz especially to songs from the Lawrence Welk Show. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends with sheepshead being his favorite game. Raymond was a hard worker all of his life. For many years, he worked the family farm in Raymond Center with his brother Robert. In 1959, he started his own business, The Ray Larsen Grinding Service, which provided feed grinding services for local farmers via a portable hammer mill. He loved working outdoors and enjoyed spending time with local Racine County farmers. After 25 years, he sold his business in 1984. He then continued working for another 20 years at Borzynski Bros. Farms where he worked the fields, drove trucks and tractors, ran errands and was in charge of the animals at their annual fall petting zoo. He retired in 2004 at the age of 80 years. Raymond and his wife, Doris, traveled extensively throughout the United States with friends and family members. In 1972, they traveled to Hawaii to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. And, in their later years, they enjoyed many bus trips to Branson, Missouri; Florida; Louisiana; and other locations. Raymond is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris and their three children: Jean (Jim) Garbo of Franksville, James of Greendale and John (Andrea) of Brookfield. He is also survived by his loving twin grandchildren, Natalie and Christian Larsen of Brookfield. Raymond is further survived by his brother Irving Larsen of Milwaukee and sister-in-law Mary Jane Larsen of Shawano along with numerous sisters- and brothers-in law as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by his brother Robert Larsen and sister Dorothy Vesbach. His Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, November 21st at 11:00 A.M. with Deacon Russell Missureli officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service. Private burial will be held in St. Louis Cemetery, Caledonia. The family has suggested memorials to the American Diabetes Assoc., the American Lung Assoc., or the American Arthritis Foundation. Raymond’s family wishes to thank the wonderful nursing staff in the Cardiovascular Institute and Intensive Care Unit at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center and the nursing and rehab staff at Willowcrest Care Center. Thank you so very much for your care, kindness and comfort. Our loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather will be missed.