Raymond Van Wyhe

For a live stream of Ray's funeral service on Friday, February 25, please copy and paste the following link into your web browser to be taken to the First Presbyterian Church's Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/fpcluverne/?ref=page_internal

RAYMOND VAN WYHE was born on October 15, 1931 to James and Fannie (Zwart) Van Wyhe on a small family farm in Rock County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, Minnesota. He attended school through the eighth grade. Ray enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and received his honorable discharge in 1952. On October 9, 1953, Ray was united in marriage to Carol Burtch in Hills, Minnesota. Together they raised three children, Judy, Rick, and Connie. Ray was a life-long farmer who took great pride in work. Carol preceded him in death on June 17, 1989. On May 4, 1991, Ray was united in marriage to Carol Mulder in Ellsworth, Minnesota. Ray retired in September of 1998 and the couple moved to Luverne on October 15, 1998. On Saturday, February 19, 2022, Ray died at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 4 days.

Ray was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Previously, he held positions as deacon and elder at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Ray served on the Kanaranzi Township Board, a member of the Kanaranzi Lions Club, served on the Rural Water Board and was involved with the Cattlemen’s Association. He was also a member of the Ellsworth American Legion Post 0196. Ray enjoyed fishing, camping, mowing their acreage, and playing cards. He loved hauling hogs even in retirement. He could often be heard saying ‘just one more’ cookie. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for Grandpa’s special cough medicine – blackberry brandy, the way he would wiggle his ears and flip his teeth around in his mouth, and set off the smoke detector with his pipe tobacco.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Van Wyhe of Luverne; children, Judy (fiancé, Tim Helmers) Top of Sibley, Iowa, Rick Van Wyhe of Cottonwood, Arizona, Randy (Marcia) Mulder of Luverne, Pamela (Drew) Likness of Fargo, North Dakota, Melissa (Mark) Ayers of Estherville, Iowa, and Tony (Julie) Mulder of Estherville; 9 grandchildren, Candi, Kelly, Brittany, Taylor, Abigail, Ben, Alyssa, Logan, and Hallie; 13 great-grandchildren, Brooke, Carter, Riley, Dylan, McKenly, Knox, William, Jace, Aubree, Morgan, Sawyer, Jaxon, and Grayson; and a sister, JoAnn Westra of Hull, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol; daughter, Connie Van Wyhe; parents, Jim and Fannie Van Wyhe; brothers, Henry Van Wyhe and Clarence Van Wyhe; son-in-law, Bill Top; sisters-in-law, Clazina Van Wyhe and Arlene Van Wyhe; and brother-in-law, Stan Westra.