Raymond E. Gorden

1932 - 2018

Raymond E. Gorden

Fond du Lac - Raymond E. Gorden, 86, of Fond du Lac, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, at his home.

He was born February 6, 1932, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the son of the late Ray Oliver and Ethelyn (Hunt) Gorden. He attended Brainerd's public schools and served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954. In 1954 he married Juanita Love and had three children, David, Daryl and Jodi, during their 32 years of marriage. At first they lived in West Allis, then in Baraboo from 1959-1964 where he was President of the Baraboo Jaycees and Vice-President of the Wisconsin Jaycees. In 1964 they moved to Monroe where he owned and operated the Kohli Office Supply until 1978. In 1967 he received the city of "Monroe's Outstanding Man" award. From 1971-1978 he taught Office Machine Repair at the Blackhawk Technical College.

In 1987 he met Vivian M. Ehrenberg-Cain and they married August 15, 1987, to live in the Fond du Lac area where he was an Office Machine Repair Instructor at Moraine park Technical College from 1979-1989 when he retired. He then worked at Hope Lutheran Church as the custodian until 1995 and later served as Mediator for the Fond du Lac Court System.

Ray was a Chaplin for the Fond du Lac BPOE ELKS Lodge #57, a volunteer at the Galloway House Print Shop, President of the Friends Board (5 years) and a volunteer at the Fond du Lac Senior Center and for the past several years he volunteered at the local Salvation Army's Food Pantry. In May 2015 Ray was able to participate in "The Old Glory Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C. for his service in the United States Navy.

Ray had a love and technical interest in antique typewriters and had collected more than 300 that were manufactured between 1867 and 1920. He was also an avid fisherman, loved playing cards and traveling with his wife and his dog, Max.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian Mary Gorden of Fond du Lac; two sons, David (Laura) Gorden of Farmington, CT and Daryl (Mary Ellen) Gorden of Stoughton; a daughter, Jodi (Ed) Lockhart of Vancouver, WA; a step-daughter, Susan (Scott) Dreger of Fond du Lac; a step-son, Steven (Janelle) Cain of Birchwood; a sister, Peggie Owen-Boles of San Antonio, TX and a brother-in-law (fishing buddy), Dennis Ehrenberg of Oshkosh. Ray is also survived by ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by a sister, Betty (Frank) Guzek and a brother-in-law, Robert Owen.

VISITATION: Friends may call on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent Street, Fond du Lac.

SERVICE: A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark Wilkens officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorials to the Salvation Army are appreciated.

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420