print article Print     e-mail article E-mail
Published May 22, 2012, 12:00 AM

Raymond Joseph Luke

Raymond Joseph Luke, 96, of Cloquet, Minn., passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012, with his family at his side. He was born Aug. 15, 1915, in Browerville, Minn., to John and Mary (Hudala) Luke. Ray worked numerous jobs throughout his life including working and retiring as a millwright for Conwed Corporation and playing in the "Benny Larson Band." Music was important to Ray and included playing his keyboard for the residents at Sunnyside Health Care Center and volunteering to give communion and praying the Rosary. He was a 70-year member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Bishop Welch Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Big Lake Golf Club, and enjoyed playing cribbage, bridge, riding his bike, and spending his winters in Mesa, Ariz., for over 25 years.

Raymond Joseph Luke, 96, of Cloquet, Minn., passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012, with his family at his side. He was born Aug. 15, 1915, in Browerville, Minn., to John and Mary (Hudala) Luke. Ray worked numerous jobs throughout his life including working and retiring as a millwright for Conwed Corporation and playing in the "Benny Larson Band." Music was important to Ray and included playing his keyboard for the residents at Sunnyside Health Care Center and volunteering to give communion and praying the Rosary. He was a 70-year member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Bishop Welch Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Big Lake Golf Club, and enjoyed playing cribbage, bridge, riding his bike, and spending his winters in Mesa, Ariz., for over 25 years.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Edna, the mother of his children; his second wife, Lucille; one daughter, Stephanie Luke; one grandson, Jesse Luke; great-grandson, Colton Plante; and a great-granddaughter, Scarlett Gantt.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; four sons, John (Bonnie) Luke of Rock Hill, S.C., Dan (Laurie) Luke of St. Paul, Minn., and Rick (Sue) Luke and Tom (Adrianne) Luke, both of Cloquet; three daughters, Mary (Al) Plante of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Diane (Roy) Charon and Kathy (Ron) Ahlgren, both of Cloquet; one brother, Joseph (Delores) Luke of Browerville; two sisters, Roselind Host and Florence Rickbiel, both of Browerville; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; five step-children; 13 step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will held Tuesday, May 22, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Interment services will be at New Calvary Cemetery, followed by a luncheon in the church social hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Queen of Peace Church or Essentia Hospice.

The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet to assist them with arrangements. See the family online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

May 24, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

Tags: