Raymond "Ray" Valentine Ladewig

Raymond Valentine Ladewig, 96, of Wind Lake, WI, passed away peacefully Friday morning January 27th, 2023, surrounded by his children and wife. Raymond was lovingly known as Ray by his doting wife, Valerie.  Ray was born on Valentine’s Day February 14th, 1926, in Milwaukee, WI.

Ray, a veteran of World War II, was a Machinist’s mate in the South Pacific theatre for the US Navy. After the war, Ray returned home married Valerie Spade on September 10th, 1949.  Together they were blessed with 12 children.  Ray loved landscaping, gardening, and woodworking; an avid agriculturist, Ray was ahead of his time practicing composting methods that impacted the abundant beauty that was showcased in his gardens.

Ray was a loving father always displaying admiration for his children, his presence brought a sense of stability, calmness, and security to them. Ray, fondly known as Grandpa, doted on his grandchildren.  He embraced them all with a warm comforting hug. His grandchildren loved him and will truly miss his welcoming and loving smile.

Ray, (Dad, Grandpa) is survived by his wife Valerie and by his 12 children: Chris, Jeff, Karen, Mary, Karla, David, Theresa, Paul, Ann, Becky, Rachel, and Daniel. He is further survived by his 28 grandchildren Michelle, Kristy, Ryan, Stefanie, Gavin, Amy, Hope, Adam, Brent, Shawn, Michael, Britney, Kayla, Noah, Joleen, Izaak, Jared, Ray, Juliet, Matthew, Sofia, Joseph, Nicholas, Isabel, Roman, Nathanial, Audrey, Mark. And 10 great grandchildren.

There will be a visitation at St. Clare Catholic Church, (7616 Fritz St. Wind Lake, WI 53185), on Saturday, February 4th, 2023, from 10 am to 11:50 am, with a Mass at noon. Followed by a celebration of Ray’s life at Integrity Celebration Center, (2789 Browns Lake Dr, Burlington, WI 53105), from 1 pm until 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in Ray’s honor to be made to St. Clare Catholic Church’s Grounds Committee. 

“I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”

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