Ray W. Cordes

Ray W. Cordes, 94, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at home in Red Wing. He was born December 16, 1915 to Charles and Cora (Watson) Cordes. He was raised in Lake City by his grandmother, Mary Watson, after his mother died when he was six days old. Ray graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City. In 1934 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, building public projects in Northern Minnesota, including St. Croix State Park. Ray also worked in California for a short time. In 1940 he married Marian Abraham at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. During World War II they lived in Vancouver, Washington where he worked in the Kaiser Shipyards. The couple moved to Red Wing where he worked as a fuel oil distributor for Pure Oil Company and later retired with Wilson Oil Company. Ray and Marian moved to Arizona for a short time in the 1980s. He was a member of United Lutheran Church and enjoyed yard work and taking care of his cars. He was a dedicated family man and had many good friends. Ray was an avid sports fan, attending many Red Wing High School games.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marian; daughter, Mary (Bryan) Hagen of Kenyon; two grandchildren, David Pederson and Robin Johnson, both of Minneapolis; three great-grandchildren, Bunny, Darcy, and Libby Johnson; sisters, Fern Feindt of Red Wing and Robin (Dick) Burkard of Burnsville, and brother, Wayne (Georgene) Cordes of Apple Valley. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Irene Olson and Joyce Mehrkens.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010 at United Lutheran Church, 628 West 5th Street, with Reverend Steve Timm officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.