Raymond L. Hartl, 88, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away peacefully with his family always at his side on Friday, October 8, 2021, at Arborview Court in Wisconsin Rapids.
A visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburndale on Tuesday, October 12, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the parish cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 10162 of Auburndale and 6352 of Stratford. Father Murali Anand Rayappan will officiate. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Raymond was born on March 11, 1933, to Leonard and Catherine (Hamus) Hartl. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He married Joanne Rasmussen on July 19, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield. His father taught him at a young age how to be the car mechanic that he was. He worked for Sievers Brothers in Milladore at the time of their marriage until 1962 when his brother Roger and him opened Badger Motors in Auburndale. Dad was a great salesman and took care of many of their Auburndale friends selling them a vehicle, fixing their current vehicle, or enjoying a pop around the soda machine. Dad retired at the same time as mom in June, 1997, but he kept working part-time until they moved to Dubay in 1998. He was a great craftsman and could fix almost anything.
Ray was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Auburndale and a charter member of the Auburndale Lions Club.
For 15 years they traveled to Arizona to get out of our cold climate. At first it was just a couple months, but then grew into six months in Wisconsin and six months in Arizona. Because of failing health, in 2018 they sold their home in Dubay and moved to an apartment in Wisconsin Rapids.
Joanne, the love of his life, passed away on January 17, 2020, and dad has missed her every single day. Anyone who had a conversation with him since that time knows exactly how he felt. He couldn’t wait to be united with her. It gives our family comfort knowing they are once again together.
Raymond is survived by their three daughters and ten grandchildren: Cheryl (Donald) Walloch of Wisconsin Rapids {Tonya (Dale) Kuhlka, Trisha Walloch, and Tiffany Walloch}, Susan (Jeffrey) Richardson of Milladore {Jason (Jill) Richardson, Daniel (Sharon) Richardson, Jesse (Kristin) Richardson, and Krystal (Adam) Boese}, and Patricia (Guy) Kopelke of Ogema {Justin (Stacey) Hanlan, Brian Hanlan, and Megan Villegas}. He is further survived by 16 great-grandchildren, his sister Jeanette (Fritz) Berger, sister-in-law Clara Hartl, brother-in-law Robert (Karen) Rasmussen, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Joanne, his parents, his in-laws Rudolph (Adeline) Rasmussen, and his brother Roger Hartl.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Hilltop Grand Village, Arborview Court and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care, visits with dad, and support for our family. Your kindness will remain in our hearts.
Please direct memorials to Heartland Hospice, 3233A Business Park Dr, #203, Stevens Point WI 54482.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.
