Obit: Thorn, Raymond H. (1917 - 2005)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Thorn, Bauers, Wanek, Trynowski, Hasbrouck, Biltgen, Rother, Peterick, Dernek, Speltz, Ledebuhr, Kosidowski, Schroetke, Ford, Schammel, Morken, Vankirk, Cichanowski, Sommers, Buggs

----Sources: Winona Daily News (Winona, Winona County, Minn.) 01/30/2005

Thorn, Raymond H. (22 Jan. 1917 - 27 Jan. 2005)

Raymond H. "Ray" Thorn, 88, 342 Oak St., died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

He was born Jan. 22, 1917, in Colby, Wis., to Mathew and Caroline (Bauers) Thorn.

He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Wanek on Sept. 17, 1941, in Winona, and she preceded him in death March 12, 1999.

He owned and operated the Mankato Bar for 26 years.

Ray was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, where he served as an usher, was a charter member of the Elk's Lodge No. 327 and was named "Elk of the Year" in 1996, was a member of American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post No. 9, Winona Civic Association and the Winona Athletic Club.

He served his county in the U.S. Army during WWII.

He is survived by three sons, Michael (Bonnie) of Apple Valley, Minn., Stephen (Kathy) of Winona and Richard (Lora) of La Crescent, Minn.; nine grandchildren, James, Kimberly, Paige (Chad) Kraus, Kyle, Lisa, Danielle, Christina (Troy) Trynowski, Linda and Matthew; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Rita Hasbrouck of Jackson, Mo.; special friends, Jo Biltgen and her family, Bruce Biltgen, Beverly (Wayne) Rother and their children, Jennifer and Cristen; and sister-in-law, Judy Peterick of Seattle, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers; and one sister.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2005, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church with preliminary services at 10:30 a.m. at Watkowski-Pronschinske Funeral Home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, where the American Legion will provide full military honors. The Rev. Daniel R. Dernek will officiate.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Watkowski-Pronschinske Funeral Home, where there will be an Elk's service at 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Leroy Speltz, Dick Ledebuhr, Robert Kosidowski, Peter Schroetke, Bill Ford and Ray Schammel. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Morken, Hank Vankirk, Bob Cichanowski, Dave Sommers and Andy Buggs.

Memorials may be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.