Raymond Albert Hanel

Raymond Albert Hanel, age 93, of rural Mankato died, Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at his home.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato with Rev. Keith Siverly, officiating. Burial will be in Minneopa Cemetery, rural Mankato. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Monday. Memorials may be given to St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church or donor's choice.

Raymond was born November 6, 1915 to Gottlieb Johann and Anna Emma Elizabeth (Seppmann) Hanel on the family farm in Judson Township. Raymond attended Creek School through the 8th grade. In 1929 the school district dissolved and he attended Mankato Teachers College for 9th grade. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1934. He was a tinkerer and a craftsman while in high school. He built the first windmill on the farm in 1933 to generate electricity and in 1940 they went on rural electricity.

Raymond met Evelyn Ruth Baumann at a Walther League meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church in early 1941. They were united in marriage on March 14, 1942 at the Rice Lake Evangelical Church, rural Kiester. They made their home on the family farm in Judson Township. He started Hanel Popcorn Company in 1933 as a junior in high school. The popcorn business grew and expanded. His son, Harvey, became a partner in the family business and farm. At its peak they farmed nearly 600 acres of popcorn. Hanel popcorn continued until 2007. Raymond started custom baling and combining after he was married and cut wood for other people. Over the years the farm operation consisted of chickens, dairy, pigs, and beef cattle. In 1972 he developed and operated Cedar Grove Campground, with his wife, Evelyn, along the Blue Earth River. After the campground was sold he and Evelyn traveled. They wintered in Mesa, Arizona from 1981 to 1998. They traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and Germany; and visited many areas of the United States. Raymond was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. His life was farming and keeping in touch with all his family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening, especially flowers and roses.

Raymond is survived by a son, Harvey (Virginia) Hanel of rural Mankato; five daughters, Nancy (William) Rieke of Rochester, Mary (Charles) Hylen of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Hanel of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda (Jim) Schwantes of rural Lake Crystal, Sandy (Bruce) Schafer of Eagan; twelve grandchildren, Angela (Dan) Mafredas, Brent Hanel, Nathan Hanel, Michael (Bethany) Hanel, Scott (Kari) Rieke, Karin (Michael) Kallander, Jeff (Luba) Hylen, Mark (Holly) Hylen, Leslie Schwantes, Amanda Schwantes, Justin Schafer, Andrew Schafer; twelve great-grandchildren, Skyler, Shane, and Samantha Rieke, Emily Mafredas, Matthew, Titus, and Luke Kallander, Kristin, Christopher, Isabella, Adison, and Sophia Hylen; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn in 1999; a son, Roger; a granddaughter, Christin; a great-grandson, Jacob; two brothers, Bruno (Margaret Statham) and Edwin (Margaret Paulson) Hanel; five sisters, Lydia (William) Dackins, Ida Marie (Edward) Dackins, Ella (Charles) Anderson, Alvina (Evan "Pete") Hultengren, and Rose Hanel.