Raymond F Kratzke

North Mankato Mortuary - Northview
2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN
388-2288

Raymond F. Kratzke, age 91 of Mankato died Sunday, October 23, 2011, at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4-7p.m. Tuesday at NORTHVIEW - North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato and will continue one hour prior to service at the church. Burial with Military Honors will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Memorials preferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church or to donor's choice.

Raymond Fred Kratzke was born January 13, 1920 to Albert and Elizabeth (Wilking) Kratzke in Nicollet, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. He graduated from high school in Nicollet in 1939, and later attended barber school in the Twin Cities. Ray served in the United States Army from April of 1942 until he was honorably discharged in December of 1944. Ray married Selma Engel on December 17, 1944 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. He worked for Carney Insulation until his retirement. Ray was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato since 1949. He loved fishing, sports (especially the Twins and Gopher basketball), playing cards, watching his son and grandkids' sporting events, and canning tomatoes, pickles, and corn.

Ray is survived by his wife, Selma; children, Joyce (Steve) Oachs of Mankato, Gary (Laurel) Kratzke of North Mankato, Marilyn (Chuck) Christiansen of St. Peter; son-in-law, Gary (Vivian) Hanel of North Mankato; grandchildren, Kevin (Jen) Oachs, Craig (April) Oachs, Greg (Jennifer) Oachs, Joe (Jill) Kratzke, Jillian Kratzke, Justin Kratzke, Seth (Nichole) Hanel, Matt (Julie) Hanel, Elizabeth (Ken) Hutchins, Molly (George) Reyes, Ty Hanel, Chad Christiansen, Alex Christiansen; 19 great-grandchildren; one niece and two nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Arlene Becker; daughter, Carol Hanel; daughter-in-law, Julie Graif Kratzke; and grandson, Philip Hanel.