Raymond W. "Ray" Eickhoff

Raymond W. "Ray" Eickhoff, age 94 of Albany, died peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. concelebrating. Entombment will be at the parish cemetery. Friends and relatives may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany. Raymond William Eickhoff was born May 10, 1924 in New Munich, Minnesota to Frank and Gertrude (Thull) Eickhoff. He married Clotilda Braegelmann May 6, 1947 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond. Ray and Tillie raised seven children and farmed south of Albany for over 25 years. After retiring from farming, they lived in Jacobs Prairie for about 13 years and were members of Jacobs Prairie Catholic Church. During retirement, he enjoyed working with small engines, going to garage sales and flea markets, and playing Bingo. Ray was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Survivors include his children, Roger (Ruth) of St. Cloud, Jan (Leon) Schilmoeller of Cottage Grove, Ken (Kitty) of Albany, Gary (Sandy) of Farming, and Linda (Brian) Johnson of St. Joseph; son-in-law, Neil Parker of Centennial, Colorado; 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Juletta Frericks of Sauk Centre and Regina Meemken of Melrose; brothers, Melvin of Freeport and Al of Anoka. Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Clotilda "Tillie" Eickhoff on November 24, 2012; daughters, Judy Eickhoff and Susan Parker; parents; grandson, Joseph Schilmoeller; grandson-in-law, Jon Nelson; sisters, Lorraine Hoppe, Marie Euteneuer, Evelyn Eickhoff, and Dorothy Buermann; and brothers, Norbert and Larry Eickhoff. The family would like to thank the staff at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home and St. Croix Hospice for the care given to Ray in the last months of his life. Serving as casket bearers will be his grandchildren, Jason Eickhoff, Justin Eickhoff, Eric Eickhoff, Matthew Eickhoff, Chelsea Parker, and Alisa Schilmoeller. Cross bearer will be his granddaughter, Holli Nelson and scripture bearer will be his granddaughter, Amazih Eickhoff. Gift bearers will be Shannon Gohr, Amber Torborg, and Tammy Widmeier. Readers will be Sarah Frericks, Tara Dammer, and Tina Eickhoff.