Raymond J. Rauenhorst, age 82, of Easton passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side, Friday, April 19, 2024. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 23rd from 4:00-7:00PM at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells (789 Business Park Drive) and will continue one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM at church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 24th with Father Pratap Reddy Salibindla officiating. Burial and Military Honors will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery.
Ray was born January, 6, 1942, on the family farm south of Easton. He was the youngest child of Joseph and Magdalen (Dulas) Rauenhorst. He was Baptized and Confirmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton, graduated from Delavan High School in 1960, and attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating in 1964. He first met Sharon K. Waechter, of Blue Earth, while hauling sweet corn at the Green Giant canning factory. She was hired as the factory registered nurse for the summer. They were married in Blue Earth on August 15th, 1964.
Ray entered the Marine Corps in August of 1964 and received his Wings of Gold and was commissioned a 2nd LT at NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX in June of 1966. Ray flew 317 combat missions in Vietnam in 1968, where he earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Single Mission Air Medals, and was awarded the Purple Heart.
In 1970, the couple returned to Easton, settled onto the family farm, and began farming.
Ray joined the South Dakota Air National Guard in February of 1973 and served with them for 22 years, retiring in October of 1994 at the rank of Colonel. He was the fighter squadron Commander for over four years and led many squadron deployments to CONUS and overseas locations.
While farming, he flew as an ag pilot for Blue Earth Flying Service for 17 years. He was also a member and a chairman of the Delavan School Board for over 12 years. He was the only Minnesota representative of the 22-member Jim Kinsella Ag Innovator Program at Lexington, IL. It was here that he learned of the benefits of conservation tilling and started no-tilling and strip tilling his farm in 1992. He was very conscious of the environment and loved his trees – especially conifers – he planted thousands of them!
Throughout his life and in retirement, Ray took active church and community leadership rolls. Whether it was coaching his kids in sports, or, serving as a 3rd Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, or holding a position in the Easton American Legion Post #569, Ray found service to be a joy and an honor.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon (Waechter), their seven children; Col Michael (Heather) of Harbor Springs, MI, Col Robert (Annette) of Meridian, MS, Maj Joel (Tara) of Easton, MN, Dr Mary (SgtMaj Scott) Bakken, of Sioux Falls, SD, Sgt USMCR/Lt MSP Douglas (Dr Tina) of Northfield, MN, LCDR David (Amanda) of Nerstrand, MN, and LtCol Paul (Tracy) of Eagle River, AK, sisters; Lorraine Hassing of Blue Earth, MN, Millie Miller of Austin, MN, Evie Thielen of Ames, IA, 29 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, LTJG Leo Rauenhorst, parents, Joseph and Magdalen Rauenhorst, three brothers-in-law; Dick Miller, Tom Thielen, and Harold Hassing.
So sorry for your loss
I am so very sorry for your loss. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ray Rauenhorst was the “real deal.” Everything Ray did, he did the best he could do. Ray was the epitome of “Never Give Up!” Ray was a great fighter pilot as well as a man of total integrity that everyone trusted and loved. When the chips were down, you could always count on Ray.
“Faith, Family and Friends” were Ray’s priorities in life. His faith was quietly apparent in every aspect of his life. Ray and Sharon’s 9 children all having served in the military says volumes about the Rauenhorst Family values. We all loved Ray and look forward to seeing him again the other side of the sunset.
Ray was a classmate of mine and am so sorry for your loss. Ray was a gentleman, intelligent, and loyal. His spirit for the military and his alma mater was admirable. We will miss him dearly.
We grieve with you during this time of extreme sadness. God rest his soul.
Our deepest sympathies to the whole family of Ray. What an amazing man and role model to all who knew him. The children of Ray all have titles/rankings along with their names, you don’t see this very often. What an inspiration your dad was to all of you kids. Thank you, Ray for your years of service and dedication to your community, also to your family. Sharon and family, prayers and hugs to all of you. Keep the memories close to your hearts.
Bob and I (Tracy’s parents) were so very happy and blessed to have spent a few hours with Ray and Sharon when they visited Hillsboro, OR this last fall. His Alaskan grandchildren are missing him greatly. Thank you for your service, Ray.
Sincere Sympathy to the Rauenhorst Family.
Well Done Good & Faithful Servant.
Ray, You are a GREAT ANERICAN HERO,
SEMPER FI 🇺🇸
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during your time of sorrow. Ray was a true patriot, role model, servant and exceptional leader that led by example.
Semper Fi!
Jeff Braunhausen informed me of the loss of our dear Minnesota friend, Ray Rauenhorst.
Sympathy to Sharon and all the family.
Ray’s hometown of Easton, the state of Minnesota, and his beloved country have lost a patriotic
patriarch who had Christian values and courage.
Ray with his wife Sharon have left a living legacy with the replicated in seven children.
I am grateful that my husband, Gene Clemens, was able to have a long-time association with Ray
and made me part of this Minnesota community.
Ray was the chairman of the school board at Delavan when I was employed as a teacher there. He was a strong advocate for education and when he would see me out in public he would want to know what was going on in my classroom and if things were going well at school. This continued even after the Delavan School closed! My sympathies to Sharon and all the Rauenhorst families. It was always an exciting day at school when Ray and his squadron flew over the Delavan School. You could hear them coming from a distance and the lesson was over at that point as the students had to get to the windows to see them fly over! Thanks for those GREAT memories Ray!
I’m so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to the entire Rauenhorst family.
So sorry for
I was a friend of Ray’s for many years, but I have to say, he was everyone’s friend. He had faith, family, and patriotism.
My condolences. Certainly an amazing man!
Taps…..Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Colonel Ray Rauenhorst was larger than life to me. I owe my career in aviation largely to him. Ever since my youngest memories my dad, Julian Braunhausen, would tell me, “The key to a successful career is to find something you enjoy doing and then get paid to do it. And I think being a pilot would be pretty cool.”
Dad would then tell me stories about his elementary school buddy, Ray Rauenhorst, who joined the military and flew fighters. Dad’s talks slowly sank in, but were more than solidified on the 4th of July 1979.
That fateful day, Col. (probably Major then) Rauenhorst flew his A-7 over my Uncle’s Farm at 50’ and about 450 or 500 knots!!!
I was hooked at barely 10 years old. Some of you from Easton probably remember that fly-by to this day! I think Ray might have gotten in trouble over that one.
I will forever be grateful for Ray and I thank you for your Service. You will be missed.
Until we meet again in Valhalla……
So sorry for your loss, Sharon and family. Ray was an outstanding leader who made his mark in the SD Air Guard from the time he first joined the unit. We are all better for having known and learned from him.
May our Lord bring you peace and healing during this time of sorrow.”
“May you find comfort in the loving memories of your loved one.”
“Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences.”
“Our hearts are heavy with the news of your loss.”
“May the love and blessings of God surround and comfort you, always.”
“We offer our prayers and support during your time of grief.”
Great guy, great patriot, great American. You will be missed