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Raymond Richard Engel, age 72, of Longville, MN, formerly of Henderson, MN passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018 at his home in Longville, MN.

Raymond was born on July 22, 1945 in St. Peter, MN to Marvin and Mildred (Moore) Engel, Sr. He grew up in the Minnesota River Valley /Henderson / LeSueur area. Ray was united in marriage to Iva Busby on June 28, 1968. They were blessed with a daughter, Rona. In 1982, they moved to Castlewood, SD where they farmed and raised beef cows for a time. In 1991, they moved to Longville, MN and purchased Little Ponderosa Resort. After retirement they split their time between their home in Longville and Ray's lifelong dream of a cabin in the Northwoods near Birchdale, MN.

Ray loved the outdoors and could be found out fishing for walleyes in the summer and pan fishing in the winter. He was also quite adept at catching sturgeon and won the North American Sturgeon Championship in Birchdale in 2014. Ray was a man of integrity, loved to laugh and was as honest as they come. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and felt blessed for his nearly 50 year marriage to Iva.

Ray will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Iva; his daughter Rona Engel -Hoff; two grandchildren: Cody and Morgan; seven siblings: Bill (Jackie) Engel, Ann (Art) Brenke, Margie (Orville) Steinborn, Jim (Laurie) Engel, Kathy (Dave) Nelson, Karen Coil (special friend Don) and Mary (Jerome) Murphy; two sister-in-laws: Judy Engel and Kathy Engel; as well as other relatives and many special friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Marvin Engel Jr. and Russ Engel.

A Celebration of Life was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2018 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Longville, MN. There will also be an open house and luncheon from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the St. Joseph Parish Fellowship Hall in Henderson, MN.[[In-content Ad]]

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