Ray Hempel

Raymond Edwin Hempel was born on May 31, 1923, in Lorne Township, Yellow Medicine County near Granite Falls, MN. He was baptized in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls and confirmed in the Christian faith in Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, MN. He went to school in Hanley Falls and attended Trade School in Little Falls, MN for bricklaying. Ray proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1943 ? 1945. He saw action in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations and was awarded numerous ribbons and medals, including four bronze stars. Upon his honorable discharge, Ray returned to Granite Falls and began his career as a contractor and bricklayer. He was united in marriage to Pearl Schmidt on June 30, 1949, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, MN. Ray was the masonry and general contractor on numerous local building projects, including St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and served as a trustee for 12 years. He was a lifetime member of the Granite Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American legion and the D.A.V. He was also a member of the Bricklayers Union #6, the International Association on Laryngectomies, the New Voice Club of Hennepin County and the Miracle Voice of St. Cloud. Ray's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grand father. He enjoyed camping, traveling, playing cards, watching baseball and being a tireless, "voiceless" salesman for many worthy organizations. His dedication and service will be missed by many. In the afternoon hours of Saturday October 21, 2008, while in the loving presence of his family, Ray was called from this life at his residence. He was 85 years of age. He is survived by his wife- Pearl of Granite Falls; his children- Terry (& Rosemary) Hempel of Granite Falls, MN, Lynette Sundquist of St. Cloud, MN, Brad (& Holly) Hempel of Granite Falls, MN, RaeAnn (& Rolland) Hegna also of Granite Falls, MN and Nanci (& Mark) Zenner of Savage, MN; 14 grandchildren- Kim (& Joe) Koepke, Cam (& Jill) Hempel, Bridget (& Corey) Applegate, Erica (& Dustin) Dusha, Adam Sundquist, Jesse (& Alicia) Hempel, Ali Hempel, Nik Hempel, Dylan Hempel, Jordan Hegna, Mason hegna, Brent Hegna, Lawson Zenner and McKenzie Zenner; 11 great grandchildren- Jada & Braden Koepke, Madison & Logan Hempel, Austin & Hannah Applegate, Amanda, Meagan & Alex Dusha, Jeffrey Sundquist and Evie Hempel; two brothers- Vernon Hempel and Donald (& Shirley) Hempel, both of Granite Falls, MN and one sister- Bernice (& Otis) Torke of Hanley Falls, MN. Preceding Ray in death were his parents; a son-in-law Jeff Sundquist, two brothers- Ernest & Alden and seven sisters- Mabel Schulz, Rose Jeseritz, Emily Gabbert, Christina Anderson, Evelyn Anderson, Delores Berg & Darlene Johnson