Richard Raeker

Richard E. Raeker, age 48 of New Munich, died peacefully after a 6 month battle with brain cancer on Saturday, April 17 at his home in New Munich.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 22 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB officiating and Rev. Julius Beckermann, OSB concelebrating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church in New Munich.

Richard Eugene Raeker was born June 10, 1961 in Melrose to Arnold and Rosemary (Schulte) Raeker. On December 20, 2003 he was united in marriage to Linda Balster-O'Malley at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Richard was a manager for over 20 years at the Stearns Enterprise and the Melrose Beacon newspaper. He loved being outdoors and trapping. Richard truly appreciated and enjoyed the people in the community. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich, New Munich Lions, Stearns County Fair Board, Stearns County Watershed District, MunichFest for Immaculate Conception Church, and was on the chamber board for the cities of Melrose, Albany, Avon, and Holdingford. He was an avid member of the Minnesota Trappers Association and a past member of the New Munich Jaycees.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Raeker of New Munich; step-children, Genia O'Malley of New Munich and Jared O'Malley of New Munich; brothers and sisters, Roland (Rita) Raeker of Texas, Eileen Davenport of Richfield, Jerome Raeker of New Munich, JoAnn (Robert) Hanson of Burnsville, Luella (Philip) Korth of Green Bay, WI, Melvin (Denise) Raeker of Eagan, Alcuin (Jane) Raeker of Melrose, and Dorine (Edward) Connelly of Bloomington.

Richard was preceded in death by mother, Rosemary Raeker on Jan. 13, 2010; father, Arnold Raeker on Nov. 28, 2002; step-son, Jason O'Malley in 2009; and brother-in-law, James Davenport.

Serving as urn bearers will be Ray and Donna Painter. Cross bearer will be Rich Mayers and scripture bearer will be Kevin Zierden. Honorary bearers will be members of the New Munich Lions Club, Barb Zierden, Joe and Julie Theiler, and Fred and Margaret Imdieke.

Perennial flowers or memorials are preferred.