Ray Louis Lingen

RAYMOND LOUIS LINGEN was born to Alfred and Rose (McLain) Lingen on August 1, 1935 in Currie, MN. At the age of four, the family moved to a farm site southeast of Ruthton, MN where he attended country school through the eighth grade. Ray continued his education at Ruthton High School, graduating in May of 1953. After high school, he worked for one year before enlisting in the United States Navy on November 4, 1955. During his active duty he was stationed in San Diego, CA and served as an Aviation Storekeeper Petty Officer. He was released from active duty in 1957 but continued to serve until he was honorably discharged on October 16, 1961. After being released from active duty, he returned home to help on the family farm. On September 5, 1959, Ray was united in marriage to Karen Biever at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, MN. In 1967, Ray and Karen moved two miles to their current home east of Holland, where he farmed and lived the rest of his life. In April of 1978, he started working for the U.S. Postal Service as a substitute mail carrier for Holland and Ruthton. Two years later, he became the full time carrier while continuing to farm. Ray retired from the U.S. Postal Service on May 31, 2002. After retiring, he continued to help with farming and pursued many hobbies and interests. He died at his home on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at the age of 83 years, eight months and 20 days.

Ray was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in Woodstock where he served as a council member, trustee and sacristan for many years. He was also involved in choir and helped with many grounds keeping and maintenance activities. After the church closed, he attended St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. He was a member of the Holland Senior Center and the Earl Gruis American Legion Post #534. He also served on the committee that was instrumental in creating the Holland Area Military Memorial. While raising the family, Ray found time for bowling and attended many of his children’s sporting events. Later in life, he took up the game of golf, spent time fishing, and attended numerous events for his grandchildren. He enjoyed his time at the Holland Senior Center with his friends, playing cards and a few games of pool. Ray was a problem solver and could often build and repair many things on his own. He was able to repurpose many of the ‘treasures’ that he saved, always saying that he might need ‘that part’ someday. Ray was dedicated to family and his faith, and will be remembered as a hardworking, loving, and gentle man, always willing to help others.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Karen of Holland; five children, Douglas Lingen of Eden Prairie, MN, Donald Lingen of Mankato, MN, Kevin (Michele) Lingen of Lakeville, MN, Jeffrey (Sue) Lingen of Holland, MN, and Kaleen (Keith) Kremers of Cannon Falls, MN; 11 grandchildren, Kelly Lingen, Nick, Dylan and Christian Valentini, Seth, Aaron, Callie and Megan Lingen, and Jenna, Reed and Erin Kremers; three siblings, Marguerite “Peggy” Splett of Plymouth, MN, Avis (Anthony) Laurent of Hamel, MN and Roger Lingen of Buffalo, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings, Eileen, John, David, Vaughn, Philip, Richard “Dick”, Kathryn and Terry.