RAYMOND FRANK MCCARTHY
Raymond Frank McCarthy passed away on August 4, 2016 at Glenhaven nursing home in Glenwood City joining his beloved wife Ruby in Heaven.
Ray was born to Lester and Edith (Dettman) McCarthy on January 15th, 1923 in Forest WI. He grew up in the Glenwood City area attending school through the 8th grade. He started working at an early age, picking up newspapers from the train depot and delivering them around Glenwood City. As he grew older he worked as a farm hand for Oscar and Albert Ludtke before starting a farm and family of his own.
Ray married Ruby Lenore Nyhus on June 2nd, 1944. They settled in Springfield Township where they started their own farming operation and began raising their five children Ronald, Wayne, Sue, Jim and Donna as well as having his young nephew Roger Ludtke join the family and assist on the farm. He loved sports and if he wasn’t playing a game while growing up, or attending his children and grandchildren’s events you would find him with the radio and then later also with the TV on broadcasting the most recent sporting events. He always loved a good ball game, especially baseball or football. He was an avid Green Bay Packer, Wisconsin Badger and Brewers Fan as well as a Glenwood City Hilltopper Fan. Some joked as in later years he possessed many Boyceville Bulldog shirts and hats as well.
Ray was a very social and outgoing man who loved to attend family and social functions. He especially enjoyed card parties and dancing to a good polka. He spent many years enjoying his time on local bowling teams and helping the Lion’s Club and church grill chicken during events.
In 1972 he retired from farming and built their first retirement home just a mile down the road. Later, in 1980 he and his wife purchased lake shore property on Big Casey Lake near Trego and built their true retirement home known to all as the McCarthy Cabin. This is where several memories across many generations came together and enjoyed hunting and fishing outings, pontoon rides and many hours of playing cards with special friends and family that frequently visited. Everyone will always remember eating his many pan fried fish suppers and at breakfast his famous blueberry pancakes at the cabin.
Ray was a man of faith. He had served on the church council of all three churches from Glenwood City: Trinity Lutheran, Faith Lutheran and Holy Cross. He always looked forward to helping grill chicken for the church fair stand. He also was very active in local politics and organizations having served as Director of the Boyceville Farmers Co-op and the AMPI for 35 years. With AMPI he was both a regional and Corporate Board Director. In Glenwood City he served on the School Board for 18 years as well as Town Chairman of Springfield Township. He was very proud of being instrumental in the building of the Springfield Town Hall during his term. Ray also served as Secretary of the Oakwood Cemetery for many years as well as grounds keeper. He was a proud member of the Glenwood City Lion’s Club. He instilled in many of his family that it is good to help cultivate and support local organizations which better the community and enhance the lives of those around us. Ray stated “You have to be involved in order to make a difference”.
Ray devoted a lot of his time towards his family, farming and his community as well as his keen interest in local sports. He provided a foundation for his children and grandchildren to grow on and truly just loved life.
Raymond McCarthy is preceded in death by his parents and siblings; wife Ruby (Nyhus) McCarthy; son Wayne McCarthy; daughter Donna Donley; son-in-law Joseph Strehlo Sr.; son-in-law Michael Donley and infant grandchildren Mary, Timmy and Michael McCarthy.
He is survived by his children: Ronald (Katharine Husted) McCarthy; Susan Strehlo and Jim (Carol) McCarthy; 10 grandchildren Joseph Strehlo Jr.; Lisa (Brian) Smith; Bart Strehlo; Melissa (Dan) Larson; Jamie (Sarah) McCarthy; Brian (Kris) McCarthy; Phillip (Erin Kern) McCarthy; Scott Strehlo; Amy Steies and Rachel Jo Donley; 17 great-grand children Hunter Strehlo; Matthew (Tiffany Stuart) Wyss, Noah Wyss and Julianna Larson; Natalie and Mason McCarthy; Eyan and Riley McCarthy; Brady, Jenna McCarthy and Dylan Kern; Hanna, Gavan, Colin and Luella Strehlo; Arianny and Ryker Steies; 1 sister-in-law Ruth Slotevig, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Glenwood City with Reverend Bradley Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in the Township of Springfield, WI. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Local arrangements by the Anderson Funeral Home in Glenwood City, WI.