Obit: Gurtner, Raymond A. (1930 - 2007)

Contact:  R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BECKER, BERNHAUGEN, DOBERSTEIN, GURTNER, HUGHES, POREE, RIEBE, RUDOLPH, SCHMITZ, SWANSON

----Sources: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, Wis.)Vol. 47, No. 28, Wed., Jul 11, 2007, p 10

Gurtner, Raymond A. (07 Jan 1930 - 08 Jul 2007)

Raymond A. Gurtner, 77, Unity, died Saturday, July 7th, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

In honor of Ray’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. There will be a celebration of his life Thursday, July 12th, at the Colby VFW Post 2227 from 6-10 p.m.

Ray was born January 7th, 1930, in Rubicon to Adolph and Lydia (Rudolf) Gurtner.

Ray and Katheryn Bernhagen were married September 26th, 1951, in Harford and later divorced. He and Janet Reibe were married May 20th, 1967 in Cedarburg.

Ray had a license to make cheese at the age of 14. He worked in his father’s cheese factory until the age of 21, and then held various jobs until he began to cut meat at the age of 21. Ray was a meat department manager at West Bend, Beaver Dam, Cedarburg and Brown Deer until 1970.

Ray and his wife Janet then bought Gibs Market in Unity in December of 1970. He then practiced the art of sausage making that he learned from his father who was a sausage maker in Switzerland. His wife Janet, and son Al, continue to operate Ray’s Market in Unity.

He is survived by his wife, Janet of Unity; three daughters and one son, Susan (Brian) Becker of Slinger and their children, Stephanie (Pete) Poree, and B.G. Becker, Barbara (Robert) Swanson of West Bend and their children, Misti (Nick) Doberstein and Katie Swanson, Jayne (Richard) Hughes of Kewaskum and their children Sarah (Michael) Schmitz, Erika (fiancé Peter) Hughes, Lauren Hughes, Parker Hughes and Gracie Rae Hughes, and Alan (Connie) Gurtner of Colby and their children Hanna Grutner and Emily Rae Gurtner; three great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Memory Garden at Colonial Center, Colby, or the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.

Maurina-Community Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Paid Obituary 26-72498