Raymond S. Javenkoski

My dear husband, Ray Javenkoski, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Gundersen Health System at the age of 91. He was born September 14, 1927, to Steven and Helen (Karwoski) Javenkoski. He grew up on their small farm in Three Lakes, WI. As a young student, Ray loved basketball and was the leading scorer in the Northern Lakes Conference and led his team to the Conference Championship in 1944 and 1945. He also played trombone in the band and sang in the choir. Ray graduated from Three Lakes High School in May of 1945.

After high school, he enrolled at Oshkosh State University, majoring in Biology with a minor in History and Physical Education. To pay for his tuition for college, he worked in a grocery store, sold trees from the family farm, anything that would earn him money to pay for school. He graduated college in 1950.

In 1950, Ray began his career in education teaching at Elcho, Wi High School. He taught biology and physical education and coached basketball, football and track. After four years, he moved to Mt. Horeb, a larger school, teaching biology, physical education and coaching basketball, football, track. The basketball team won the Conference Championship in 1958. Many of his students and players were still keeping in touch with him today.

After five years at Mt. Horeb, he was recruited by State Farm Insurance as a part time agent in the Madison district. Ray really enjoyed selling and became a full-time agent in 1960. In 1962, he was promoted to Agency Manager in La Crosse, WI. Ray hired many successful agents, some of whom became managers in other cities.

Ray gave back to his community in many ways. He coached the First Presbyterian Church youth basketball team, founded the South Side Lions Club, was President of the Life Underwriters Council, and was an active participant in SCORE, just to name a few.

Ray loved life and enjoyed 27 years of retirement. He was an avid sports fan - attending Badger and Packer games, traveling to the High School Basketball State Tournament for over 60 years, and golfing with friends were some of his favorite hobbies.

Ray is survived by his three sons Bruce (Jan) Javenkoski, Brad (Jean) Javenkoski, and Jim (Meri Ellen) Javenkoski, his three step children Jeff (Deb) Jansky, Julie (Dave) Ammann, and John (Debi) Jansky and 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by me, Jeannie, his loving wife of 45 years.

Funeral services will be held at First Congregational Church in La Crosse on Saturday, October 6, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday two hours prior to the service. Pastor Kent Cormack will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.