Raymond Lewis Mlaskoch

Raymond Lewis Mlaskoch, 69, Willow River, died peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2017.

He was born on November 12, 1947 to Lewis and Anna Mlaskoch.  Ray graduated from Willow River High School.  In 1968, Ray enlisted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam from mid-1968 to 1969.  He was very proud of his military service and was famous for saying, "I spent 440 days and nights in Vietnam."  On November 15, 1969, Ray married Barbara Thompson in Willow River.  In 1970, Ray went to work for Wright's Construction until 1980 when he and his cousin Ron started their own business, Mlaskoch Utility Construction.  He sold his share and retired around 2001.  Ray enjoyed restoring tractors, collecting vintage cars, and spending time at the cabin.  He also won many trophies at tractor pulls.  Most of all, Ray loved his three sons and grandkids.  For years, he went on hay rides almost every night with grandkids, friends, and relatives.

He was a member of Willow River American Legion Post #163.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents: Lewis and Anna Mlaskoch; father-in-law: Maurice Thompson; and his brothers-in-law: Ed Franko and Van Thompson.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 47 years, Barbara; 3 sons: Brett (Christy) of Duluth; Bradd (Nikki) of Willow River; and Bradee (Amanda) of Willow River; 12 grandchildren: Wyatt, Morgan, Trent, Taylor, Tatum, Garrett, Wesley, Gavin, Owen, Lyndee, Lauryn, and Lane; brother: Lewis (Judy) Mlaskoch of Willow River; 3 sisters: Linda (Roger) Hyska of Willow River; Jackie Franko of Askov; Gail (Greg) Waldhalm of Sturgeon Lake; mother-in-law: Lorraine (Dallas) Thompson of Willow River; sisters-in-law: Kathy Heavirland of Willow River; Julie Kelley of Moose Lake; and Peggy Villa of Willow River; brothers-in-law: Lee Thompson of Happy Jack, AZ and Tim Thompson of Willow River; special friends: Dave Nyrud, Roy Goodno, Sheldon Johnson & Mary Cleveland; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Thursday, March 16, 2017 in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Moose Lake and continue Friday, March 17, 2017 from 10 am until the 11 am Celebration of Life in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Moose Lake.  Military Honors will follow.  Memorials are preferred to Willow River First Responders and Barnum First Responders.

To sign the guestbook online, go to www.hhkfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.