RAYMOND OSCAR LEE
RAYMOND OSCAR LEE
Raymond Oscar Lee, 78, of Holmen, WI, passed away peacefully Wednesday Dec. 13, 2023, at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. Raymond was born July 15, 1945, in La Crosse, WI, to Oscar and Helga (Christianson) Lee. Raymond spent his entire life at his beloved family farm, Prestgaard Farm, in Holmen, WI.
Raymond married the love of his life, Marjorie, Nov, 3, 2001.
Raymond spent his life working the family farm. For a short time, he held a job at the local canning factory before he enlisted in the Army Reserve. He sold seed for many years for Pioneer seeds out of a semi-trailer in the yard. Raymond retired from farming and went to work for Gexpro, where he only attempted to retire three times! He was still currently employed at the time of his passing.
Ray was a firecracker of a man, filled with a sense of humor and a level of energy only rivaled by the Energizer Bunny. His larger-than-life personality could be on full display singing as Elvis. He loved to sing with his wife at church for weddings and anniversaries.
A man of many talents with an infinity for fixing any mechanical problem, Raymond was a jack-of-all-trades that would never back away from a challenge. Dare to tell him he couldn’t, and he would prove you wrong every time. After all, if Ray couldn’t fix it, no one could.
An example of his great talents is his construction of the church replica that stands on the original front steps of the old Halfway Creek Church in the Halfway Creek Cemetery.
Raymond was always described as a walking encyclopedia. He could answer most any question and hopefully you had some time because he was taking you back to history class. He was especially dedicated to maintaining a historical record of the land that he’s so painstakingly stewarded over the years. The Homestead was the site of the original Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Raymond’s life was devoted to the farm and helping others. One of his greatest joys in life was to help his family, friends and neighbors in their time of need. Raymond was gentle, kind, compassionate, thoughtful and generous all things that everyone who knew him got a chance to be a part of.
Raymond is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie; children Katie (Lance) Wier, Rebecca (Jesse Fischer) and Anthony (Jessica Johnson); grandchildren Alayna, LJ, Aurora, Breanna, Ariel, Cameron, Hunter and Colt; sister Doris Brudos; niece Sue (Jody) Bjerke; sister-in-law Kay Schroeder and family, Ester and Tom Steanzel and family; and brother-in-law Dave and Diane Nelson and family. He is also survived by his beloved pets, Max and Margo, and countless family farm animals. Raymond leaves behind a legacy of family and great friends.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; brothers-in-law Edward Brudos and Dick Schroeder; and niece Lori Brudos-Scharlau.
The family extends our heartfelt thank you to Gary and Jim Hagel for all their continued help with the farm, past, present and future. To all our neighbors and friends, thank you for your continued support as we navigate the days to come.
A sincere thank you goes out to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department, Onalaska Fire Department, Gunderson Ambulance, Gunderson Air and all of the staff at Gunderson Lutheran for their great care and compassion of Raymond.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church, W6016 County Rd. W, Holmen. Pastor Chris Sesvold officiated and burial was in the Halfway Creek Cemetery. Friends visited with the family at the church Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and again Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Halfway Creek Cemetery or the Halfway Creek Church.