Raymond Meichsner

Raymond Lawrence Meichsner, son of Rev. Ernest and Josephine (Oravetz) Meichsner, was born July 8, 1927 in Deer Creek, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed by his father at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek. He attended grade school in Deer Creek and high school in Holloway, Minnesota. Ray enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. In November 1944, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Hamann. In 1946, Ray received an honorable discharge from the Navy and the couple moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where he attended Hanson Auto School, graduating in 1946. Following his graduation, Ray and Lorraine moved to Hancock, where Ray worked for Steinbring Chevrolet. In 1959, he began working for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier, until his retirement in 1989. In the spring of 2007, Ray and Lorraine moved to Morris, where they have continued to live.

Ray was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hancock. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, watching his grandchildren’s activities and visiting with friends.

Ray died on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 81 years.

He was survived by his wife: Lorraine Meichsner of Morris; sons: Earl (Marcia) Meichsner of Brooklyn Park, Keith (Linda) Meichsner of Alexandria and Dean (Rita) Meichsner of Morris; daughter: Susan (John) Olson of Minneapolis; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother: Rev. James (Muriel) Meichsner of Sauk Rapids; mother-in-law: Elfrieda Hamann of Appleton; sisters-in-law: Angela Hoffman of Wheaton and Clarice (Virgil) Stock of Appleton and brother-in-law: Dale (Carol) Hamann of Appleton. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Hubert and Normand Meichsner and one sister: Elizabeth.

Pallbearers for the service are Ray’s grandsons: Todd Meichsner, Ben Olson, Bryan Meichsner, Bradley Meichsner, Eric Meichsner and Tyler Meichsner. Honorary pallbearers are: Jack Morton, Brad Oksendahl, Roger Duncan, Art Durkee and Ken Nissen. Phyllis Joos will serve as organist for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.