Raymond I. Quarberg, age 86 of Arkansaw, died Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand with his family by his side.

Ray was born on May 14, 1929 in Modena. He was the son of Isaac and Rose (Paulson) Quarberg. He grew up in the Norwegian Valley area of the Town of Nelson, rural Buffalo County. Ray graduated from the Nelson High School in 1948. After high school, Ray bought a farm in the Modena area. Ray married Arlene Reinhardt on December 21, 1949 at the Lyster Lutheran Church in Urne. Together Ray and Arlene farmed and raised their three children in Modena. Ray also worked for Ristow Construction building homes in the Alma area for 5 years. Arlene passed away on June 22, 1988.  Ray married Rosetta (Lehmann) Kaempf on August 3, 1991 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Durand and gained three more children to his family. After marriage, Ray and Rosetta lived in Durand where Ray continued to farm in Modena with his son, Greg. Ray continued to farm with Greg through 2014. In 1999, Ray and Rosetta moved to their current home in Arkansaw where he remained the rest of his life.

Ray enjoyed woodworking, making toy barns, birdhouses and dollhouses. He also liked collecting toy tractors, especially Internationals. Ray enjoyed his coffee time and talking with friends. He always enjoyed children and was always known as “Uncle or Grandpa Ray.” Most of all Ray loved to spend time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 24 years; Rosetta, six children; Janine (Brian) Ruff of Alma, Greg (Marie) of Modena, Brad (Gail) of La Crosse, Ronald (Joan) Kaempf of Arkansaw, Rebecca (Charles) Weber of Elmwood and Dean Kaempf of Elmwood, 12 grandchildren; Josh (Meg), Amber (Jamie), Elizabeth (Jerry), Nathan (Jennifer), Emily, Nicolas, Merideth, Thomas, Michael, Nathan, Kari (Isaac) and Christopher (Friend, Laura), six great grandchildren; Morgan, Benjamin, Ella, Katelyn, Addison and Abigail, two sisters-in-law; Gertrude Quarberg of Nelson and Pat Quarberg of Sauk City, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Arlene; three brothers; Merle, Armin and Alvern Quarberg and one sister, Melvina Amdahl.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Durand. Rev. Dan Pfaffe will officiate. Burial will be in the Modena Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Tuesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Condolences

1. Connie Larson August 20, 2015, at 1:16am

   Thinking of you at this time. My heart goes out to you Rosetta and all of Rays family. I know he will be truly missed. Cherish the memories. I remember at work you would always tell of all the weekend fun you had. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
   Sincerely, Connie and Gary

2. Kathy Brommer August 19, 2015, at 4:14pm

   I have known Ray since I was a little girl. Our families visited each other, after chores. Ray, Arlene, Robert and Genesse went to the MN State Fair together once in a blue moon. He was a wonderful man. My sympathy to his family. I know he will be missed by many.

3. pat petrie/ kurth August 18, 2015, at 6:19pm

   My condolences to Rosetta and her family. I really did not know Ray--but I knew how happy she seemed over the years. I am sure he will have left many special memories. I worked with Rosetta at Caddie for many years.tvL

4. Patti Blount August 18, 2015, at 4:50pm

   I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Ray. Sympathy to the everyone during this difficult time.

5. Secrist Family August 18, 2015, at 1:00pm

   You are in our hearts and prayers at this time. If you need anything, please let us know! All our love!

6. Elly August 18, 2015, at 9:12am

   You have my sincere sympathies. I work at the Durand hospital and truly enjoyed visiting with Ray the last few times he was there. I know he will be missed, he was a special man. May God bless you all at this time.

7. Beverly Poeschel August 18, 2015, at 7:34am

   My condolences, thoughts, prayers are going out to you, Rosetta, and to the families involved in Raymonds passing. May God continue to bless you.
   bev.

8. Elaine August 17, 2015, at 3:30pm

   Rosetta and family,
   May your heart find comfort in the precious memories you've shared with Ray. And may these promises found in God's Word bring you peace: "I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life." and "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe the tears from all faces." (John 11:25; Isaiah 25:8; Matthew 6:9,10; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 21:3,4). My deepest condolences.

9. Paula August 17, 2015, at 3:23pm

   TO: the Weber family I am so sorry for the loss of you father and grandfather I hope you have a lot of fun and nice thoughts of him and know that he is watching over you and you are always there in his prayers too ''ill keep you all in my thoughts

   Paula Smith (Menomonie WI)

10. Rick richardson August 17, 2015, at 7:53am

    Thinking of you at this time and extending our sympathy. Keeping you in thought and prayer.

11. Mary Jo (Reinhardt) Flocca August 17, 2015, at 5:11am

    Very sorry to hear of Ray's death. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

12. ScottSmith August 17, 2015, at 12:23am

    May your family be blessed with the Wonderful Memories as life has changed but was not taken away. Your father lived on in each of you, in the quality of life he taught you. His smile, teachings and memory shine on and on in your memory. Rejoice and celebrate his life with you, he now lives with our Lord. May you feel the warmth of his calling to heaven and the loss shall ease as the memories live on. God has blessed your loved father with eternity in Heaven.

13. Nancy August 16, 2015, at 5:26pm

    Janine, My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this time of loss. Glad for our visit today. Sending you prayers of comfort . Call if you need anything. All my love, Nancy

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