Raymond Rengo

Raymond John Rengo was born August 16, 1931 in Automba Township, MN, the son of Matt and Bertha (Jokinen) Rengo. He attended school at Kalevala and graduated from Barnum High School.

Following school Ray enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Ft. Lewis, WA. and Nome, AK.  While in the service Ray was united in marriage to Donna Anderson at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, MN. Following his service to his country, Ray returned to Minnesota.  He purchased the family farm from his parents and farmed until 1975. Ray took a job in the maintenance department at St. Scholastica College where he worked until 1993. In 1993 Ray and Donna moved to Alexandria, MN.

Ray was a man of faith.  He loved his church and loved God.  Ray had many interests. He loved music and enjoyed reading newspapers. Spending time on the family farm was a joy to him.   He loved deer hunting with his son, grandson and family members. Whether it was hunting season or not, Ray enjoyed driving around looking for deer. He also liked to go looking for agates.  Ray was proud of his Finnish heritage and loved Sauna. He and Donna traveled to Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. They also made several smaller trips with family. Sports was a major influence in Ray’s life. He liked to play sports and played on the high school football, basketball, and fast pitch softball teams. He loved to watch sports and was a fan of the local high school teams, the Minnesota Vikings, and whatever team his children or grandchildren were involved. Spending time with his family, Donna, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were Ray’s greatest joy in life.

On Saturday, March 31, 2018 Ray passed away at the age of eighty-six years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, William & Ruth Rengo; sister and brother-in-law, Florence & William Potter; sister, Vivian Rengo; and brother-in-law, Marvin Ruuska. Raymond is survived by his wife Donna Rengo of Alexandria; son Deane Rengo of Automba, MN; daughters, Darice Cunniff and husband, Bob, of Alexandria, Shar Ann Brozek and husband, Jeff, of Coon Rapids, MN and Shawna Anderson and husband, Ray, of Lonsdale, MN; grandchildren, Chanda Jothen and husband, Nick, Kevin Cunniff and wife, Jess, Bryce Cunniff and Ryan Brozek.; great grandchildren, Keegan and Carter Cunniff, and Cade, Carson and Lyla Jothen; brother, Dickie Rengo; and sisters, Helen Hyytinen and husband,Oalvi , Dagmar Niemiela and husband, Arnold, and Barbara Ruuska.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, April 6, 2018 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Friday at the church.