Raymond Wander

Raymond J. Wander, 82, of Elrosa, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at his home in Elrosa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Belgrade VFW Honor Guard.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Ray Wander was born on June 29, 1921 in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Michael and Theresa (Athmann) Wander. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart. He married Mary Ann Stalboerger on June 7, 1948 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose. They lived in Elrosa where he was employed by Belgrade Superior Feeds from 1947 to 1986. Ray enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, making horseradish each fall, and he especially loved his grandchildren.He was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Saboe-Levorson VFW Post #1725 Belgrade, Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Aid Association.

Survivors include his children, Marge Lausen (Tom) of Richfield, Jean Jennissen (Harold) of Brandon, Don Wander (Mary) of Sauk Centre, Connie Miller (Denny) of Maple Grove, Beverley Peterson (Tim) of New Brighton, Mark Wander (Teresa) of Brooten, Mary Jane Wander of Richfield and Paul Wander serving in the U.S. Marines; 18 grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Patrick and Jolaine Jennissen; Michelle, Melanie, Andrea, Adam and Weston Wander; Christina, Sarah, and Michael Miller; Chad and Melissa Peterson; Aaron, Jason, Shannon and Nathan Wander, and 6 great-grandchildren, Courtney and Nicholas Aschoff,Courtney Wander, Jacob Jennissen, and Greta and Ellen Kerfeld; brothers and sisters, Eleanor Winter (Ernie) of St. Cloud, Lorraine Schwieters of New Munich, Edwin Wander (Lorraine) of Elrosa, Monica Barten of Spring Hill, Aloyius Wander (Jeanette) of Belgrade, Anna Mae Lensing of Greenwald.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Theresa; wife, Mary Ann Wander on July 3, 1998; son, William Wander; and brothers, Alfred and Christ Wander.

Casket bearers will be Chad Peterson, Michael Miller, Ryan Jennissen, Jason Wander, Patrick Jennissen, Weston Wander, Adam Wander and Aaron Wander. Cross bearer will be Nathan Wander. Scripture bearer will be Jolaine Jennissen.