Ray A. Sundet

Ray Sundet peacefully passed away on December 26, 2014 surrounded by family members. Ray was 90 years old. His family, his many friends and relatives will miss him and he will forever be in the hearts of his children and grand-children who experienced his love and generosity. Ray lived a full life filled with family, friends, a successful career as a lawyer, travel and many entrepreneurial endeavors – some of which were actually successful.
Ray is survived by his three children: Ann Mulder of Bloomington, MN, Sam Sundet of Oshkosh, WI and Barb Davis of Onalaska, WI. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Drew Davis of San Francisco, CA, Allie Sundet, Duncan Davis and Kris Sundet all of Chicago, IL, sons-in-law Ron Mulder and Terry Davis along with many friends and other relatives. He is further survived by Sarah Nohr, his trusted long time office administrator and his special friend Connie Arneson, who brought joy and many good times to the latter years of his life. Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents Arthur and Florence Sundet, his brother Aubrey, who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge and a sister Ruth Smith.
Ray will be remembered for his many interests including golf, meeting with his “coffee buddies,” travel throughout the United States and Europe with Betty, and his sailing trips to the Virgin Islands with his sailing buddies. He also had a group of retiree friends with whom he took history classes at UW-L. They spent a great deal of time correcting the instructors and “re-writing” history.
Ray was born on March 4, 1924 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. His family moved to La Crosse when Ray was in high school where he lived for the remainder of his life. World War II interrupted his college years when he served in the Army Air Corps in Europe. After his service he and his new wife Betty lived in Badger Village in Baraboo, WI while he attended law school. Among his neighbors at Badger Village were John Bosshard, who became his long time law partner and Harry Woods who became a life long friend. Ray practiced law in La Crosse for about 58 years. During the course of his law practice he became close friends with many of his clients. He was the City Attorney for Onalaska and the first Corporation Counsel for La Crosse County. In addition to his law practice, Ray was also a moderately successful tree farmer along with his partner and close friend Dave Baptie, part owner of a machine shop, real estate developer and part time comedian/critic. He will always be known for his many patented phrases, such as: “I may not always be right, but I am never wrong.”
Recently Ray and his children and grandchildren visited the site where his B17 Bomber crash-landed after having been shot down by one of the first German Messerschmitt Me262 jets. All of the ten-crew members survived the crash. A small town in Poland, located near the crash site established an exhibit in a local museum that commemorates the crash landing and the crew. Ray was the “last man standing” of the ten-member crew. Whenever tough things happened, he would always say, “You have to fight the big battle.” Near the end of his life that is exactly what he did.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave. S. Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley will officiate. Private burial will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Ray & Betty Sundet Fund at the La Crosse Community Foundation, 401 Main St. #205, La Crosse, WI 54601 or a charity of your choice. The Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel is assisting the family.