Raymond Lawrence Wuensch

Raymond Lawrence Wuensch passed away from cancer at his home on Friday, August 27, 2021. He was born on June 10, 1923 the 6 ^th child of Edwin and Elizabeth (Kreibich) Wuensch. He spent his early life as a farm boy, attending St. Joseph’s Ridge grade school. He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1941. While attending Aquinas, Ray played many sports. He was captain of the football team for 2 years and also boxed. Ray also coached the freshman football team. At the time of his graduation, he was being recruited by UW-Madison to play football for them under Coach Harry Stuhldreher. Unfortunately, WWII called him to serve at the same time.

Ray was a musician, playing saxophone and clarinet. He started with the family band, Wuensch’s Orchestra, as a youth. His first love was polkas and waltzes, but he enjoyed all music. Ray played with many area bands over a period of 70 years, most notably The Jolly Swiss Boys and the Langen Brothers Band. He recorded with The Jolly Swiss Boys for Cuca Records.

Ray married his high school classmate, Dorothy Stanek on November 27, 1941 on the Hutchinson, KS military base. He served during WWII and the Korean War in the Navy Air Force and aboard Navy ships, with duty in the Pacific Theatre. Dorothy preceded him in death in 1968. On August 19, 1971 Ray married Sue Pierce. They recently celebrated their 50 ^th Anniversary.

Ray played football, softball, golf, and bowling. He also hunted and went fishing. He played Euchre and other card games, making numerous trips with Sue to Vegas to play Black Jack. He coached and umpired youth baseball into his 80’s. Ray retired from Trane Company after nearly 40 years as a Cost Estimator. He attended Mary, Mother of the Church Parish and was very devoted to Mary the Mother of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Rosary was his constant companion.

Ray was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy, an infant daughter Mary Terese, his parents and all of his brothers and his sister. Ray is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue, his daughter Elizabeth (Phil) Byrd, his sons Todd Miller, Gary Miller and Joseph (Rebecca) Wuensch along with 10 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Memorials may be directed to Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Mary, Mother of the Church Building Fund, or Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine.