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Raymond E. Kulju, age 80 of McGregor died Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Raymond was born March 30, 1931 at Lawler, Minnesota the son of Jacob and Hilda (Rengo) Kulju. He grew up and attended schools in Lawler and McGregor graduating from the McGregor High School in 1949. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea. He married Violet Jean O'Brien on May 22, 1952 in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Dunwoody Institute and he worked for Boeing and then the Hanford Atomic Works Plant in Washington. He moved to Lawler in 1960. He married his high school sweet heart Elaine Sylte on December 12, 1964 in St. Paul, MN. They moved to Hastings, Minnesota and Ray worked as an electrical maintenance engineer for 3M retiring in 1992. Upon his retirement they moved to the McGregor area and he has lived here since. Ray and Elaine owned and operated a number of businesses in the area over the years. He was a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic workers union, and the American Legion Post. He also had taught sno-mobile safety courses.

He is survived by Children: Jack (Beverly) Kulju of Apple Valley, Calf.; Tom (Ann) Kulju of Longville, MN.; Kerry (Raymond) Nelson of Goodland, Mn.; Karl Kulju of Hastings, Mn.; Eric (Greta) Kulju of McGregor, MN.; Toni (Brett) Pugsley of Hastings, MN.; Kris (Paula) Kulju of Brainerd, MN.; Trell Kulju and special friend Vicki Heckman of Thief River Falls, MN.; 12 Grandchildren: Lisa, Patric, Michael, Brittney, Jacob, Jennifer, Peyton, Cameron, Anna, Cheryl, Michelle, Amy; 2 Great Grandchildren: Keira, Tristan. And special niece: Kay Blais of Longville, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elaine in 2004, 2 infant children, 2 sisters: Elma and Elsie and 2 brothers: Weikko and infant brother.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the McGregor Funeral Home in McGregor, MN. Burial will be in the Salo Cemetery. Memorials will be given to the Independent School District #4 to help further education. Arrangements are with the McGregor Funeral Home. To sign the online guest register please go to www.srtfuneral.com.

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