Raymond "Ray" Lial Ward

Raymond “Ray” Lial Ward, 82, of rural Mankato, entered into eternal peace surrounded by his family at home on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato with Father Mark McNea officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. prior to Mass at church. Burial with Military Honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Livestream of the service will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Ray was born at the family home in Vernon Center on December 28, 1942 to Lial and Annette (Manthey) Ward. He graduated from St. Clair High School and upon graduation, entered the Army, spent one year in Korea achieving the rank of Expert Rifleman, and was honorably discharged in 1963. In the late 1960s, he was blessed with two children: Theresa and William “Bill.” On September 16, 2000, Ray was united in marriage to Karen Smith at St. John’s in Mankato.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; daughter, Theresa (Dan) Carlson of Cannon Falls; son, Bill (Diann) Ward of rural Mankato; grandchildren, Sterling Carlson, Madeline Carlson, Charlie Ward, and Morgan (Brody) Hanson; great-grandchild, Willow Hanson, and baby girl Hanson to arrive in January; step-granddaughter, Tiffany (Scott) Stewart and their children, Madison, Preston, and Jameson; brother, Norman (Trina) Ward; sister, Juanita Brunz; Karen’s family - daughter, Shelly (Todd) Lutteke and their children, Brooke (Josh) Rebelein, Travis (Rachel) Lutteke and their children, Lyra, Emerson, Halen, Dorothea, and Whitney (Nate) Girard; son, Jesse (Teresa) Smith and their daughters, Macey and Layla; son-in-law, Ed Alcorn and their children, Dustin, Shena and Sam; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, his Cotter & Co. family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; oldest brother, Merle Ward; step-daughter, Cindy Alcorn; step-great-grandson, Jackson Stewart.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the St. Croix Hospice staff for their exceptionally compassionate care.