Wallace Carlton Ray

Wallace Carlton Ray, age 84, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He was born on May 22, 1923, in Cannon Falls to Roy and Sigrid (Knutson) Ray. In 1926, he moved with his family to Red Wing where he was a 1941 graduate of Red Wing Central High School. He attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He married Verona Wimmer on November 9, 1946, in Red Wing. He served in the U.S. Navy from November 27, 1942 to November 6, 1967, in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign during World War II; in the Korean War and in the Vietnam War. In 1967, he returned to Red Wing and worked for Red Wing Service Company for thirteen years retiring in 1980. His wife died on June 17, 2005. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post 54, Burnson-Lillyblad VFW Post 1218 and the Fleet Reserve Association. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing cards.

Survivors include four children, Michael (Rose) Ray of Herndon, Virginia; Nancy (Rob) Bullard of Osceola, Wisconsin; Mary (Roscoe Washington) Ray of Port Republic, Maryland and Dale (Lisa) Ray of Ada, Michigan; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister, Maxine Graw of Red Wing; and special friend, Peg Etzel of Red Wing. He was preceded in death by his wife and one brother, Gordon Ray.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday in the Norelius Chapel of First Lutheran Church with Reverend Carroll Marohl officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to the time of services Friday at the church. Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel is handling arrangements.