Pearl L. Ray

Pearl L. Ray, age 89, of La Crosse, died on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Marinuka Manor in Galesville, WI. She was born on March 9, 1933, the fourth of nine children, to George and Addie Ray. She grew up in Cataract, WI. At a very young age, Pearl quit school in order to begin working but went on to earn her GED later in life.

Pearl held many various jobs throughout her working career including telephone operator, restaurant worker, nursing assistant, caterer, and sales associate for Max’s Auto Parts. Her final workplace was at La Crosse Footwear, where she worked as a mill room operator. Pearl was a very caring person. She took care of her mother, and most of her siblings until their passing. She was awarded the “Angel on Your Shoulder” commendation in 1999 for all of the loving care she gave to her siblings that were suffering from cancer.

Pearl is survived by one sister, Rita (Burton) Andrus of La Crosse; four nieces, Linda (Don) Hayle, Juanita (Mark) Ziolkowski, Addie (Rodney) Lathrop, and Pearl (Mike) Havlik; five nephews, David (Tatyana), Douglas (Kathy), and Darrell (Sue) Stetzer, Eugene (Sueann) Andrus, and Jason Ray; and many loving great nieces and nephews.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, George and Addie (Edmison) Ray; two sisters, Theresa Ray and Della (Allen) Stetzer; five brothers, George, Fred, Robert, Donald, and John Ray; and one nephew, Daniel (Wendy) Stetzer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, 530 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the service at the church. Monsignor Richard Gilles will officiate. Burial will take place at Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.