Raymond Clarence Happel

Raymond “Ray” Clarence Happel, age 94 of Hokah township, MN passed away on August 8th, 2025, at the La Crescent Care Center. He was born March 26, 1931, at St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse, WI to Clarence and Violet Happel who farmed on West German Ridge near Brownsville, MN.

He graduated from Logan High School in La Crosse, WI in 1949 and enlisted that year into the Army, serving in the Korean war. He learned to run a bulldozer, backhoe, and later served as a crane shovel operator and trainer until he was discharged in 1952.

He lived a full life filled with love and faith. Raymond married Mary Ann Miller on May 21, 1956, and they were married for 60 years. They lived in Hokah and later moved to her family home. They enjoyed a big garden making canned tomato juice and other vegetables. He raised squash and pumpkins that he sold to passers-by and stores in La Crosse.

Ray worked as a crane operator for Domkey Construction until his retirement. He was active in his union and even took on the presidency for a while. Later in life he met Lorna Peterson, a teacher from Caledonia, and they enjoyed time together for several years.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Jane (Carl) Savaiano of Lindstrom, Minnesota, and brother, Kenneth Happel (Jean) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, a niece Barbara (Lee) Adams of Huntsville, Alabama, and Gary (Carla) Happel of Madison.

Services will be held at Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent, MN on August 16th, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, a lunch will be provided at church as well. A private burial will held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery of Hokah, MN.

Special thanks to La Crescent Health Services and St. Croix Hospice for their care of Ray. All memorials may be directed to Church of the Crucifixion of La Crescent, MN.