Melvin Raske

Obituary

Melvin Raske was born on February 20, 1931, in Hassan Valley Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry and Minnie (Spear) Raske.  Melvin was baptized as an infant, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth in 1943, at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Biscay, Minnesota.  Melvin started his life south of Biscay, Minnesota. His family then moved to Corvuso, and later to northwest of Cosmos, Minnesota. Melvin attended Litchfield High School.

Melvin entered active military service in the United States Army on October 16, 1952, and served his country during the Korean War.  He received his Honorable Discharge on October 15, 1954, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and achieved the rank of Corporal Technician.

On January 1, 1954, Melvin was united in marriage to LaVonne Maas at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Cosmos. This marriage was blessed with five children, Julie, John, Ostara, Shelley, and Monte. They moved into town (Cosmos) in 1967. They shared 52 years of marriage, until LaVonne passed away in 2006.

Melvin began his career farming at Riverdale Farm in rural Cosmos. Later in life he was employed as a welder for Siefert Manufacturing in Litchfield, Minnesota, then Crown Manufacturing in Minneapolis and Cokato, Minnesota. He retired in 1996.

Melvin was very active in the Beack-Thompson American Legion Post 126 in Cosmos, and served as Company Commander for many years.

Melvin enjoyed gardening, camping and fishing.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Melvin passed away on Friday, October 5, 2018, at his home in Cosmos, Minnesota, at the age of 87 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Melvin is survived by his:

Children,  Julie Lingl and her husband, Greg, of Saint Cloud, MN,
                  John Raske and his wife, Darla, of Glencoe, MN,
                  Ostara Hollyoak and her husband, Dan Vallone, of Glenwood, MD,
                  Shelley Meyer and her husband, Steve, of Saint Cloud, MN,
                  Monte Raske and his wife, Tina, of Vernon Center, MN;

Grandchildren,  Charles Lingl and his wife, Michele, Kari Lingl and her fiancee, Kendra Wickline, Jessica Kasprick and her husband, Scott, Justin Lingl and his wife, Jessica Dolphin, Travis Raske and his wife, Molly, Tara Raske-Liles and her husband, Jay, Darcie Raske and her fiancee, Tyler Loos, Davis Raske, Andrew Raske, Holly Vallone, Heather Vallone, Jesse Meyer and his wife, Cory, Nathan Meyer, Nikki Meyer and her significant other, Felix Mendoza, Dani Meyer, Maggie Ebert and her husband, Andrew, Annabelle Raske, and Gabriel Raske;

Great-Grandchildren,  Anna Lingl, Daniel Lingl, Bailey McMahon, Kaiden Raske, Jonas Raske, Jordan Liles, Mason Liles, Belle Liles, Alex Meyer, Steven Meyer, Riley Mohagen, and Jasper Mendoza;

Many other relatives and friends.

Melvin is preceded in death by his Wife, LaVonne Raske; Parents, Henry and Minnie Raske; Siblings,  Lena Schwarze, Herman Raske, Kate Schwarze, Henrietta Schwarze,, Hilda Schwarze, Harold Raske, Earl Raske, and Mae Johnson.