Raymond Woitalla

Raymond "Ray" P. Woitalla, 80 year old resident of Harding, MN died at his home in Harding, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, MN, with Fr. David Maciej officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN with a parish prayer service at 5:30 P.M. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service. Raymond "Ray" Peter Woitalla was born on October 1, 1931 in Pulaski Township, Morrison County, Minnesota the son of John & Clara (Wimmer) Woitalla. He grew up on the Woitalla family farm in Pulaski Township and attended country school. Following his schooling, he worked on the farm and also worked on farms in the Dakotas. He was drafted into the United States Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. After his military service, Ray returned to the family farm. He was united in marriage to Gloria Waytashek on August 25, 1964 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN. The couple made their home on their dairy farm in Pulaski Township, north of Harding. Along with dairy farming, Ray worked at the Bieganek Implement in Harding and also in construction with his brother, Lewis. Ray's hobbies and interests included farming, bird watching, playing cards, cutting wood, listening to old time Polka music and watching TV. He also enjoyed home-cooked meals at the homes of his children and friends. He was proud of the home he built with the wood he cut and stone he collected from his son's farm. Ray was a life-long member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding. His family will always remember his pranks and practical jokes. They were honored to pull one off on him by hosting a surprise 80th birthday party. Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Dale (Julie) of Pierz, RaeAnn (John) Kruchten of Swanville, John (Cinthia) of St. Michael, Mike (Melissa) of Harding, Dan (Amy) of St. Michael, Roger (Kathy) of Little Falls, Ken (Jess) of Sartell, Kathy (Randy) DeRosier of Ft. Ripley and Matt (Desiree) of Foley; siblings, Florentine (Duane) Brill of Freedhem, Lewis (Julie) of Sullivan Lake, Lawrence of Harding, Edmund (Nancy) of Buffalo, Helen (Leander) Faust of Waite Park and Joyce Woitalla of St. Cloud and 34 grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gloria (April 23, 1997); granddaughters Elsa Louise Woitalla and Tressa Lorraine Woitalla and siblings Marcella Deppa, Tracy Muehlbauer and Peter Woitalla. Honored and proud to carry his casket will be his sons, Dale, John, Mike, Dan, Roger, Kenny and Matt.