1921
Raymond
2010
Raymond Navara
November 20, 1921 — June 16, 2010
Raymond Joseph Navara, age 88 of Randolph, died on Wednesday morning, June 16, 2010 at the Reflections Care Center in Northfield.
Ray was born the tenth child of twelve to John and Theresa (Felix) Navara on November 20, 1921 in Lakefield,MN. He attended Lakefield schools and later went on to serve during World War II with the US Army Air Force. He attained the rank of staff sergeant, and served as radio operator, both stateside and in the South Pacific. While in the South Pacific he worked as a radio operator on a B29. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he married Darleen A. Kruse on February 19, 1949 at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls.
Ray worked as a quality control technician at Sheldahl, Fredrick Willis, and later retired from Cannon Equipment in February, 1987.
Ray was an active member of St. Pius V Catholic Church, and had been a member of the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and woodworking. He was very talented and could fix just about anything! He loved his grandchildren, and often had a baby on his lap. He was a fun-loving person and will be remembered for his good sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darleen; four daughters and two sons, Raylene (Sheldon) Streed of Woodbury, Kevin (Laurene) Navara of Cannon Falls, Kerry (Martha) Navara of Woodbury, Jacquelyn (Scott) Kroll of Randolph, Melanie (Eugene) Hogan of Eureka Center, WI and Kristine Navara of Faribault; 14 grandchildren, Sandi Chamyan, Josh Dale, Tobi Senetra, Becki Banitt, Cari Lundell, Brandon Navara, Jesse Navara, Joe Navara, Tony Navara, Matt Kroll, Alyssa Kroll, Andrea Kroll, Kayla Swedberg and Kristian Swedberg; 9 great-grandchildren, Michael Banitt, Ashley Banitt, Tayler Banitt, Alex Dale, Nathaniel Dale, Madeline Dale, Maddox Lundell, Mia Lundell and Hayley Kroll; brother, Wesley (Marion) Navara of Luverne, MN; sister, Marian Franze of Whitefish, MT; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Ronnie Dale; and 3 sisters and 6 brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls, with Father Jay K. Kythe celebrating. Interment with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 20 from 2-5 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Monday from
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Casketbearers will be grandsons, Josh Dale, Brandon, Jesse, Joe, and Tony Navara, Matt Kroll and Kristian Swedberg.
Ray was born the tenth child of twelve to John and Theresa (Felix) Navara on November 20, 1921 in Lakefield,MN. He attended Lakefield schools and later went on to serve during World War II with the US Army Air Force. He attained the rank of staff sergeant, and served as radio operator, both stateside and in the South Pacific. While in the South Pacific he worked as a radio operator on a B29. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he married Darleen A. Kruse on February 19, 1949 at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls.
Ray worked as a quality control technician at Sheldahl, Fredrick Willis, and later retired from Cannon Equipment in February, 1987.
Ray was an active member of St. Pius V Catholic Church, and had been a member of the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and woodworking. He was very talented and could fix just about anything! He loved his grandchildren, and often had a baby on his lap. He was a fun-loving person and will be remembered for his good sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darleen; four daughters and two sons, Raylene (Sheldon) Streed of Woodbury, Kevin (Laurene) Navara of Cannon Falls, Kerry (Martha) Navara of Woodbury, Jacquelyn (Scott) Kroll of Randolph, Melanie (Eugene) Hogan of Eureka Center, WI and Kristine Navara of Faribault; 14 grandchildren, Sandi Chamyan, Josh Dale, Tobi Senetra, Becki Banitt, Cari Lundell, Brandon Navara, Jesse Navara, Joe Navara, Tony Navara, Matt Kroll, Alyssa Kroll, Andrea Kroll, Kayla Swedberg and Kristian Swedberg; 9 great-grandchildren, Michael Banitt, Ashley Banitt, Tayler Banitt, Alex Dale, Nathaniel Dale, Madeline Dale, Maddox Lundell, Mia Lundell and Hayley Kroll; brother, Wesley (Marion) Navara of Luverne, MN; sister, Marian Franze of Whitefish, MT; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Ronnie Dale; and 3 sisters and 6 brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls, with Father Jay K. Kythe celebrating. Interment with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 20 from 2-5 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Monday from
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Casketbearers will be grandsons, Josh Dale, Brandon, Jesse, Joe, and Tony Navara, Matt Kroll and Kristian Swedberg.
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