Raymond C. Giesen, age 95, of New Prague, died Monday, March 3, 2014, at Mala Strana Health Care Center. Ray was born February 19, 1919 in Belle Plaine Township, Scott County, MN to Mathias & Barbara (Klinkhammer) Giesen. He attended school in Union Hill and was a lifelong resident of the community. Ray served in the US Army during WWII and after his service, married Cecilia D. Meger on October 30, 1946 in Union Hill. Ray was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Catholic Aid, New Prague Sportsmen, St. John’s Choir, Union Hill Baseball, & a bowling league. He enjoyed playing cards, traveling, hunting & fishing, nature, and classical music.
Ray is survived by children, Sandra “Sandy” Bessingpas of Alexandria, MN, John (& Ruth Ann) of Union Hill, Kenneth (& Cynthia Melcher) of Ft. Collins, CO, Theresa “Terry” (& Wilfried) Knoop of Columbia City, OR, Rosemary (& George) Washington of Seattle, WA, Audrey (& Alberto) Sevet of Israel, Margaret (& Richard “Dick”) Korthauer of Mondovi, WI, Virginia (& Kevin) Magee of Buffalo, MN, Benjamin (& Kimberly) of New Ulm; brother, Francis (& Harriet) Giesen of Marshall, MI; sisters, Marion (& Sam) Svoboda of Bloomington, Leona Weiers of Union Hill, Bernice Hauer of St. Paul; sisters-in-law, Ludy Giesen of Union Hill, Clara Giesen of New Prague; 18 Grandchildren, 11 Great-Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia on February 25, 2009; siblings, Reinhold “Pete”, Clarence “Curly”, Ermin, William, Leona (in childhood), Father Cal Giesen, Lorraine Kneaeble, Melvin “Murphy”, Gerald, & Leo.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 7, 2014 at 9:30 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Visitation will take place Thursday, March 6th from 4 – 8 PM and Friday from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home. Burial will occur after mass at St. John’s Cemetery in Union Hill with military rites being conducted. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Jim Giesen, Brian Bessingpas, David Bessingpas, Matthew Korthauer, Ryan Magee, Derek Magee, Mark Giesen, & Austin Gilmour. Lunch will follow at the KC Hall in New Prague.
