Randolph Gordon McRae

Randolph Gordon McRae Jr., 92, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at his home with family by his side.
Gordon was born on November 20, 1933, to Randolph Sr. and Lilah (Becker) McRae. After graduating high school, he entered into the United States Air Force. His years of service were December 2, 1955 to December 1, 1959. After the Air Force he worked at the Windy Knoll Farm in Crystal Lake, IL as a mechanic and harvesting crops.
Later he met Joan Leanna Mayfield at a bowling alley in Crystal Lake, IL. He was united in marriage to Joan (Leanna) Mayfield on February 27, 1965. Gordon and Joan later moved to Northfield, WI with their three children to assist his uncle Harold Becker with farming and later bought their own farm on Burton Road of Hixton, WI.
Gordon enjoyed dairy farming for many years. He later retired and went to work harvesting moss for Mosser Lee in Milston, WI. Over the years, Gordon enjoyed hunting deer, fishing with his good friends, Bob Darkow and Bill Engeler, along with bowling and gardening. He liked to grow a variety of vegetables and flowers. Gordon also enjoyed playing horse shoes, frisbee, and getting together with his neighbors to play euchre.
Gordon and his brother Bud had a band named Bellows & Brass and he played the trumpet. Gordon played TAPS at funerals over the years for veterans when requested.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Randolph and Lilah, brothers, Millard, Loren, and Erland "Bud" McRae, son-in-law, David Wille and grandson, Aaron Wille.
Gordon's memory will forever remain in the hearts of his wife of more than 60 years, Joan McRae, children, Carrol (Debbie) Mayfield of Menomonie, WI, Yvonne Wille of Lowell, WI, and Collen McRae of Melrose, WI; grandchildren, Davon and Colton Wille, Gunnar and Ariel Hestekind, and Emma Lanier, along with numerous friends, family, and neighbors.
The celebration of life memorial service for Gordon will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI. A visitation will start at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.