Raymond Vincent Olek

Raymond Olek, age 85, of Baxter, MN, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at 11:00am – 2:00 pm at the Brainerd Eagles Club with fellowship and lunch to follow.

Ray was born on August 3, 1937, to Oscar and Helen Olek, in Forbes, ND. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Felton High School in 1955. He graduated with a two-year degree from the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture. Ray enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1959 and received an honorable discharge December 1, 1963.

Ray and Marge (Jereszek) were married on June 18, 1959, in Georgetown, MN.

Ray held different employment positions in the Agriculture Industry and retired from DeKalb/Monsanto in 2000. Marge and Ray moved from Hutchinson, MN to the Brainerd area, where he worked part-time at the golf course at Grand View Lodge, retiring in 2010. Ray was proud to be a member of the Eagles Club for 50 years. He savored a peaceful day on the lake boating and fishing, enjoyed a friendly competition in horseshoe, billiards, and cornhole. A good day was having ice cream with the grandkids.

Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marge; children Pam Braaten (Gary Asche) of Holiday, FL, Jeff (Debbie Anderson) of Brainerd, MN, and Sue (Jim) Connor of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Kasie (Charles) Windfelder of Navarre, FL, Rammie Olson of Fargo, ND, Brady (Michelle) Braaten of St. Petersberg, FL, Emily Connor of Loveland, CO, Ryan (Samantha) Connor of Woodbury, MN, Shelbie (Danny) Wokson of St. Michael, MN, and Molly Olek of St. Michael, MN; great-grandchildren Jaylee and Rhett Olson, and Madelyn Windfelder; his brothers Vernard (Rosie) and Oscar Jr (Diane), and sister Jo Ann (Ron) Dawson; and sister-in-law Sherry (Dennis) Mattson.

Ray was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth, and John, one sister Helen Joyce, and his parents Oscar and Helen, in-laws John and Leona Jereszek, and son in-law Jeff Braaten.  

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.