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Raymond Laase Obituary

Raymond Walter Laase, 84, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. Beloved husband of 64 years to Nancy (Dolores Erickson) & loving father of nine children, Ray was born on Nov. 21, 1933 in Chicago, IL. He grew up in Chicago & was a 50-year resident of Hinsdale, IL before retiring to Tucson, AZ. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1951 & attended the University of Arizona. After meeting Nancy at the university in Tucson, the two married on Aug. 29, 1953 in Racine, WI. Ray was a livestock buyer in the Chicago Stockyards & traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange & the Chicago Board of Trade. He was an avid outdoorsman & loved to spend his free time fishing and hunting with family & friends. Ray enjoyed traveling with Nancy around the world & the United States including a year in Alaska. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Raymond William (1990) & Vera Emilia (Banach) (2007) & his brother William (Sandra) (2017). He is survived by his sister Sandra Rumsey (Richard) and brother Joseph (Christine) & children Clarice (Craig) Smithson, David (Kim), Cynthia (Neil) Krupicka, Julie Anne, Terri Anne (William) Robertson, Mary Jane (Stephen) Cashman, Suzanne (Mark) Caldwell, Jacqueline (Beau) Parrillo & Robert. Ray is survived by his grandchildren Emily (Jeff) Irwin, John Smithson, Katherine Smithson, Makenzie Laase, Michael Laase, Adam (Jessica) Krupicka, Erica (Ryan) Conger, Lindsey (Tyler) Reichwald, Taylor Smith, Anne Robertson, William Robertson, Charles Cashman, Jane Cashman, Christian Caldwell, Henry Caldwell, Harrison Laase, Ruby Laase & Josephine Parrillo. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Charlotte & Claire Irwin, Miles & Jackson Krupicka and Edith & Benjamin Conger. Visitation on Friday Jan. 26th at 9:00 a.m. in Fireplace Room at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. 4th St., Hinsdale, until the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Salmon Unlimited Inc.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Laase

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Fred Hamman

January 17, 2021

I first met Ray at the Stockyards in the early 1960s. We had lots of fun together there. Since he was a hog buyer and I was a hog salesman, we had many transactions every day.
After the yards closed, we worked together at the Clarendon Hills office of Heinold Commodities for six years and then in Chicago afterwards. I have fond memories of these times. It was also good to get to know his family, especially his wife, Nancy.

Fred and Ann Hamman

February 8, 2018

Dear Nancy and family, We were so sorry to hear about Ray's death, and we are sorry it has taken us so long to send our condolences. We have been in Florida since Jan. 2 and were unable to attend his service and did not have your home address with us.

Fred remembers when he and Ray started working together at the Stockyards in 1960! He was buying hogs and I was selling them and many negotiations ensued. Sometimes when he bid me real cheap, I would pick him up and put him outside the pen! I remember selling a string of hogs after Christmas one year, and he gave me the top of the market.

I decided to open my office in CH in 1976 and thought he would enhance my information and help put in orders. We spent several years there together and then downtown. There were many good times as well as difficult times, but it was my pleasure to work with him.

It was good when we met your family and spent time together at Hinsdale events, including your daughters' weddings. Good memories, for sure! We also remember a Christmas party at your house.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

With love and sympathy,
Fred and Ann

Donna Bennett

January 28, 2018

Dear Mrs. Laase, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Mr. Laase was a wonderful man who I will always remember with a smile. He made me feel so welcome when I would visit Julie. He made everyday seem like a party. His enthusiasm and zest for life was inspiring. I am so grateful that you both attended my wedding and met my parents who instantly felt like they new you both forever. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your family. I know Mr. Laase is making heaven more fun for everyone!

Julie Haapala

January 25, 2018

January 25 ,2018

My deepest condolences to the Laase Family. Many of my fondest childhood memories are spending time at your home with your large , loving family. Your Dad and Mom always welcomed me to their home.Thank you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all

Julie Nyquist Haapala

Schanno Family

January 24, 2018

Ray: We love you, we will miss you, and we will cherish always your memory for all the days of our life. We promise to be there for your beloved Nancy and all of your beautiful family. You have shown us again how precious and short life really is. Grateful our paths have crossed, we are a better family because of you. Promise you will look over us with all those we have loved and lost by your side. With our prayers and support, may we find peace and comfort in each other and the legacy you have left behind.

Jim Hofman

January 24, 2018

Our sympathies go out to the entire Laase family ... my dad (Bob Hofman) has many, many fond memories of working with Mr. Laase at Ampac in the 60's and 70's and their enduring friendship in the decades that followed, particularly the Super Bowl parties ...

Mr. Laase was quick with a smile, kind word, and was always genuinely interested in how you were doing. He was so easy to talk to and I enjoyed knowing him as youngster growing up and later as an adult. My dad is especially saddened by his loss. Wishing all the best to the Laase family during this difficult time ...

Don Hanlley

January 23, 2018

We will always remember Ray with much affection. Such great times we had on Oak Street!

Eileen and Don

January 23, 2018

To Ray's family, sorry for your loss. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God is thinking thoughts of peace towards us, to give us a future and a hope, may that bring you comfort at this difficult time.

Joseph Laase

January 23, 2018

He is missed. Very terrific memories. Too much to list. A great man. Love You.

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Memorial Events
for Raymond Laase

Jan

26

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Fireplace Room at St. Isaac Jogues Church

306 W. 4th St., Hinsdale, IL

Jan

26

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Isaac Jogues Church

306 W. 4th St., Hinsdale, IL

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