Ray Wilson

Raymond Ray Wilson, age 71, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2022 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN after a long battle with heart disease.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Organist will be LeAnn Bjornson with special music by Doug Frisch and the Goodwill Singers.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 23rd from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Time of Sharing Service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Nolan Wilson, Eli Johnson, Gus Johnson, Janet Gauger, Dean Gallup, Ervin DuMarce, Chad Ward and Nick Gauger. Honorary Pallbearers will be past and present members of the Wheaton Fire Department and the Corner Café coffee crew.

Ray was born on March 22, 1951 in Havana, ND to Germaine Wilson.  His family relocated to rural Peever, SD where Ray grew up with many cousins, aunts and uncles.  After his mother’s death when Ray was six years old, his grandfather Jonah Amos Wilson raised him until he too passed.  At the age of thirteen, Ray and his sister were welcomed as foster children into the home of Harvey and Henrietta Senecal of Browns Valley.  The family soon moved to Wheaton, where Ray attended Wheaton High School and was a great athlete, participating in football, wrestling and track.  During his senior year, he lived with Jay and Gloria Ross.  Ray graduated from WHS in 1969.

Following high school, Ray attended NDSSS for auto body repair and studied art at UMM.  On November 23, 1973 he was united in marriage with Roberta Rosdahl.  The couple lived in Herman, MN, where Ray was employed with Loher Construction.  In 1978 they moved to Wheaton, where their children, Sara and Adam were born.  He was employed at Ford Garage before opening Wilson Auto Body in 1981.  Following his career in auto body, Ray worked for the Sisseton-Wahpeton tribe at the Dakota Pride Treatment Center, Agency Bingo, and as a gaming commissioner.

During his years in Wheaton, Ray focused on his family.  He was an involved dad; prioritizing his time for playing, going on bike rides, family outings and attending his children’s events.  Ray and Adam were usually side-by-side building and fixing things and chasing their passion for motocross racing.  His hobbies also included hunting, golfing, playing softball, and being an active volunteer with the Wheaton Fire Department, Wheaton Ambulance Service, and Traverse County Fair Board.  Ray gave his talents and time to the community.  He was known for his friendly nature and was always eager to visit with people.

Later in life, Ray fixed up a home on Lake Traverse.  He became a grandfather and his focus was always on his six grandchildren. He took them to movies, out to eat, attended their events, played with them, and taught them skills such as how to hunt and ride a bike.  You could always hear Ray cheering for them from the stands.  He truly loved his time with them and took pride in all they did.  Ray found companionship with his special friend Brenda Greybuffalo, and they enjoyed many years together.  He spent most days tinkering at Adam’s shop in Wheaton and visiting with friends at the cafe.  Ray often visited Milbank to help Sara with various projects, share his Native American heritage with her school children, and join her family on trips.

For years Ray battled heart disease, but he did not complain. Instead he persevered and lived life to the fullest.  He embraced each day with a positive attitude and found joy in the little things.  Ray will be remembered as a kind, genuine, positive person who worked hard and helped others.  His impact on those who knew him will never be forgotten.

Left to treasure his memory are his children: Sara (Bryan) Johnson of Milbank and Adam (Jessica) Wilson of Wheaton; grandchildren: Eli, Violet and Gus Raymond Johnson and Nolan, Zoey and Piper Ray Wilson; sister Jane Barse; special companion Brenda Greybuffalo; aunt Joanne Wilson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Germaine Wilson; grandparents Jonah and Elizabeth Wilson; and brother, Terry Wilson.