Ray Hildenbrand

Ray Hildenbrand, 82, Superior, died Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Lighthouse of Superior, with his family by his side.

He was born on October 12, 1929 in Anamoose, ND to Jacob and Mary (Schlag) Hildenbrand. He grew up on a farm and enjoyed farm life and hunting on the farm as a child.

He served in the United States Army and Signal Corp during the Korean War stationed in Trieste, Italy.

Ray married his childhood sweetheart, RoseMary Vetter on March 7, 1951 in Towner, ND and recently celebrated sixty-one years of marriage.

Ray was a man who found family to be extremely important. He loved to spend time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was employed as a plant supervisor and plant sanitarian for Con Agra Elevator for over thirty-eight years, retiring in 1991.

Ray enjoyed traveling extensively and enjoyed wintering at their home in Arizona.

Ray was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he served as an usher and the St. Francis Travelers, a member of Superior Moose Lodge #606 where he served as a trustee, a member of the Good Sam’s Club and the Superior Rod and Gun Club. He was a former longtime member of the Eagles Club in North Dakota.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting on his farm in North Dakota and fishing, especially on Lake Superior.

In addition to his wife RoseMary, Ray is survived by two daughters, Char (Jim) Hannula, Osseo, WI, Mary Beth (Mike) Day, Superior, WI; one son, Douglas (Deanne) Hildenbrand, Chisholm, MN; six grandchildren, Amanda (her fiancé, Jared Flaschberger) Hannula, Michael Hannula, Cody Day, Nathan (Sasha Greenwood) Day, Kari (David) Petrich, Dr. Jay (Katie) Hildenbrand; six great-grandchildren, Greysen Day, Nora, Alicia and Jacob Petrich, Isaac and Isaiah Hildenbrand and one brother, Norman (Donna) Hildenbrand, Minot, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Diane Hildenbrand and a brother, Arlen Hildenbrand.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home with a Scripture Service scheduled for 5:00 PM and a Rosary Service scheduled for 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at 9:30 AM until the 10:30 AM, Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, March 16, 2012 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski, as celebrant.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #435.

Pallbearers for the service will be Dr. Jay Hildenbrand, Cody Day, Nathan Day, Michael Hannula, David Petrich and Jared Flaschberger.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Superior Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at the Lighthouse of Superior for the wonderful care they provided Ray during his stay and a special thanks to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Home Hospice Care for the assistance they provided.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.