Raymond Keep, 85

Raymond Earl Keep, 85, Hoffman, died Friday, March 11, 2011, at Stevens’ Homes Plus in rural Barrett. Raymond passed away peacefully, with his daughters at his side.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 16 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Hoffman with Pastor Don Wagner officiating. Burial will be at Zion Cemetery in Hoffman. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman and will resume at the church one hour prior to the service.

Raymond was born September 13, 1925 to William and Elizabeth (Auger) Keep in Grant County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman and attended country school through the 8th grade. Ray joined the Navy on September 10, 1943, and served his country for eight years.

Ray was united in marriage to Lois Irene Reuss on April 1, 1954, and the couple made their home in Hoffman, where they were blessed with three children, Georgette, Gary and Heidi. He became a merchant marine on the Great Lakes for the Interstate Steamship Company, beginning his career as a deck hand, working his way to a wheelsman, and after much hard work and studies, Ray made the rank of captain. The company hauled taconite/iron ore for many years before taking on grain as cargo. Ray shared many stories of his adventures on the Great Lakes that his family and friends will long remember.

Following his retirement, Ray returned to Hoffman, where he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post in Herman before joining Post 0393 of Hoffman and was a member for 63 years. Ray enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, gardening and yard work.

He is survived by his children, Georgette (Fitzpatrick) and Steve Buntrock, Gary and Lori Keep, and Heidi and Tom Fridgen; grandchildren, Paul Fitzpatrick, Stacy (Keep) and Ken Rosckes, Amy (Fitzpatrick) and Sondro Muniz, Jennifer Keep, Zach Fridgen and Josh Fridgen; great-grandchildren, Katie, Austin and Ashlin Muniz, and Gabrielle and Nathan Rosckes; sister-in-law, Lorretta Keep; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Keep; wife, Lois; four brothers, Harold, Kenneth, Wayne and James; three sisters, Frances, Ruth and Lorraine; parents-in-law, Edward and Hazel Reuss; son-in-law, Tim Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law, Betty Keep; and brothers-in-law, Inez Wiezman, Charles Kennedy and Larry Johnson.

Condolences may be sent online at www.EricksonSmithFH.com.

Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman.

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