Obituary of Raymond Kenneth Widell

Raymond Kenneth Widell, 75, Esko, died Saturday, January 4, 2003 in Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital. He was born June 17, 1927 in Otter Tail County, MN, the son of Edwin and Saima (Meyers) Widell. He married Bernice Matta on August 9, 1953 in Sebeka. Ray was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Corp. He had worked for Hongisto Implement delivering machinery to area farmers for several years. He then worked as a switchman for Potlatch for 34 years retiring in 1989. He was a member of Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko, Carl Anderson American Legion Post 262 in Cloquet, Esko Historical Society, Esko Senior Citizens and Potlatch Quarter Century Club. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing darts, but most of all, spending time with his family and grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Widell, two infant brothers and a sister, Shirley Eckman. Ray is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Bernice, of Esko; two daughters, Kathy (Ronald) Rick of Lino Lakes and Debbie (Mike) Prachar of Esko; three grandchildren, Scott and Andrea Prachar and Breanna Rick; a brother, Roger Widell of Washington; and two sisters, Gladys Mims and Betty (Joe) Lewis, both of Alabama. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 7, 2003in Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko. Interment was in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery, Esko.