Raymond M. Bratsch

Obituary

Raymond Marlin Bratsch was born on September 11, 1927, in Henryville Township, Renville, Minnesota. He was the son of Maynard and Johanna (Shubert) Bratsch. Raymond was baptized as an infant on September 12, 1927, at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Renville, Minnesota and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on June 30, 1940, at Clear Lake Evangelical Church in Gibbon, Minnesota.  He received his education in Gaylord at Country School through the 8^th grade.   

Raymond entered active military service in the United States Army on February 14, 1946, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and served his country in Korea before the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on April 11, 1947, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and achieved the rank of Private First Class (PFC).

On September 25, 1948, Raymond was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Muller at the Methodist Church in Winthrop, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Marsha, Steven, Mary and Jon. Raymond and Barbara resided near Gaylord most of their married life where they worked on their farm and later moved into town.  Raymond and Barbara shared 69 years of marriage until Barbara passed away on November 11, 2017.

Raymond worked on his own farm and also owned and operated the Standard Service Station.   He retired in 1993, but enjoyed spending time at “The Station” for many more years.  Raymond had been a member of Manthey-Asmus Post 433, American Legion.  He was also a member of American Lutheran Church in Gaylord.

Raymond loved being outdoors and enjoyed working on their farm and gardening.  He also enjoyed fishing and spending time at the cabin on Lake Manuella.  He especially cherished the time he spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

When Raymond needed help with his daily care, he became a resident at Oak Terrace Senior Living in July, 2014, where he passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the age of 90 years.  He will be dearly missed by many.  Blessed be his memory.

Raymond is survived by his:
Children, Marsha LeSuer and her husband, Hal of New Prague, MN,
                  Steven Bratsch and his wife, Marilyn of Gaylord, MN,
                  Mary Wanberg and her husband, James of Owatonna, MN,
                  Jon Bratsch and his wife, Kris of Gaylord, MN;
Grandchildren, Chad (Tina) LeSuer, Barbara (Kris) Nyreen, Ryan (Sara) Bratsch, Angela Wanberg, Jessica (Tom) Flint, Haily Bratsch and her fiancé, Derek Larsen, Courtney Bratsch and her special friend, Tyler Bates;
13 Great-Grandchildren;
Sisters In-Law, Doris Bratsch, Marvis Holtz and Rose Muller;
Brother In-Law, Harley Muller
Many other relatives and friends.

Raymond is preceded in death by his: Wife, Barbara Bratsch, Parents, Maynard and Johanna Bratsch and his Brother, Manley Bratsch.