BECKER, MN
JULY 19, 1930 – FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Formerly of Montevideo MN, passed away peacefully February 14, 2020. Ray, as he liked to be called, was born on July 19, 1930 to Everett and Hattie (Maus) Marholz, upon which time he moved to Montevideo, Mn, where he spent all but 12 years of his life. He was confirmed into St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as a youth, and later with his father, helped pour concrete for the church that still stands today. He graduated from Montevideo High School class of 1948.
Ray was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Ervin on March 17, 1950 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage, residing in Montevideo and raising their 4 children, Deb, Tim, Jeff, and Pam. Ray was a farmer at heart and spent his life in the field and tending to his livestock. Whenever asked what he did, he proudly stated “ I’m a farmer.” During his farming years, Ray also worked for MN Valley road construction, Montevideo Cenex in the fertilizer and HVAC department, and after retirement proudly drove a school bus for Montevideo public schools. Ray moved to Becker to be closer to his children in 2009, after the loss of his wife Mary Jane.
He became a Foster Grandparent volunteer at Becker Primary School for 8 years, where he worked in many K-2 classrooms helping students with reading, math, writing skills, and also in the lunch room, helping children get ready for free play, and playing games. He said his favorite part was hearing the kids say “HI GRANDPA RAY” to him in the hallways. He was fortunate enough to be a part of two of his great grandchildrens’ classrooms while there.
Ray loved a good ball game, no matter what the ball was. He enjoyed watching sports on TV or sitting in the stands at one of his many grandchildrens’ and great-grandchildrens’ events. Ray was an expert card player, and was always looking for Buck Euchre partner. He played in many card tournaments over the years, and looked forward to cards every week with his family, and with his friends at Woodbriar and the Becker Senior Center.
Ray is survived by his 4 children Debra (Ed) Wick of Delano, Tim (Leona) Marholz of Ephrata, Pa, Jeffrey (Cindy) Marholz of Becker, and Pamela (Kent) Knothe of Becker, as well as 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, younger sisterJanice Mills, sister in law Jan Marholz, Aunt Erna Rassmussen, and many nieces and nephews. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Hattie Marholz, younger brother Duane Marholz, and son in law Ed Wick Jr.
Visitation will be Friday March 6, 2020 from 3:30 - 7:30 at Grace Lutheran Church, 11185 27th Ave SE, Becker MN, with cake served in Ray’s memory. Funeral service will be held Saturday March 7, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 321 N 5th St, Montevideo, Mn. Visitation 1 hour prior to service from 12:00 - 1:00 pm, with service at 1:00 pm and luncheon after. Graveside memorial to be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Montevideo, MN.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in Ray’s memory to the American Heart Association.
