Raymond VanHercke,Sr.

Raymond "Ray" Van Hercke, Sr. age 88, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Monday, February 18, 2008, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment with military honors by the Little Falls V.F.W. will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation is from 4 a" 8 P.M. Wednesday, February 20th and 9 a" 10 A.M. Thursday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (East Chapel) in Little Falls. Parish prayers will be held at 5:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral Chapel. Raymond "Ray" J. Van Hercke, Sr. was born on August 12, 1919 in Parkers Prairie Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Carl & Regina "Jennie" (Olek) Van Hercke. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes grade school. Following his schooling, he worked with his father and brother, Clarence, buying horses in Montana and bringing them to Minnesota to sell. He also worked on the construction of the bridge over the Mississippi River in Little Falls. He was united in marriage to Jeannette DeNio on April 1, 1942 in Ft. Sill, OK. He was drafted in the United States Army on February 10, 1942 where he served in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. He was honorably discharged on August 20, 1945. Following his military service, he returned to Little Falls where he worked in sales at Gambles. He and his brother, Clarence, purchased the well drilling business from their father. Later on, Ray bought out Clarence's portion of the business and owned the well drilling on his own. During this time, he also operated a house moving business and saw mill. In 1985, Ray retired and sold his businesses. Ray had a number of hobbies over the years which included collecting cars, wood working, fixing watches, fishing and camping. His family remembers him as a "walking book of knowledge" and was quick with the "one liners". He will be dearly missed by his children and grandchildren. Ray was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a life member of the Little Falls V.F.W. Survivors include his children, Raymond (Debbie) Van Hercke, Jr. of Little Falls, MN, and Mary (Gerald) Janey of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren, Ray (Tracy) Van Hercke, III, Jonathon Van Hercke, Dakota Van Hercke, Eric Janey, Jesse Vadnais and Destiny Vadnais; great-grandchildren, Aidan Van Hercke and Jacob Lockwood and sister, Bernice Schlender of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Jennie Van Hercke; wife, Jeannette Van Hercke (Oct. 23, 1992); brother, Clarence Van Hercke and sister, Lorraine McGuire. Casket bearers will be grandchildren: Ray Van Hercke, III, Jonathon Van Hercke, Eric Janey, Dakota Van Hercke, Jesse Vadnais and Destiny Vadnais.