Fourth Generation

39. Raymond Otto "Ray" BOETTCHER was born on 17 December 1922 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^7,9 He appeared in the census in 1930 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ He died on 29 May 2015 at the age of 92 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁴

Obituary Notes: "Raymond O. Boettcher, 92, of Tomah passed away Friday, May 29, 2015, at Tomah VA Hospital. He was born Dec. 17, 1922, to Paul and Clara (Grimm) Boettcher in Kirby, Town of Lincoln, Wis.

During World War II, 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force. While serving his country, Ray received the Meritorious Service Award, Distinguished Unit Badge and Good Conduct Medal. Upon his return to Tomah, Ray married Doris Austin Nov. 17, 1945, at United Methodist Church in Tomah. Together, they were very active working 29 years for Super Grand National Tractor Pull, 43 years at Monroe County Fair and 23 years at Cranfest in Warrens. They were a very hard working couple who still found time to farm part time and work at their other jobs as well.

Ray spent his career with the Wisconsin Power and Light Company where he retired in 1984, after 38 years as a forestry foreman. Following his retirement, Ray did seasonal work for North Tomah Cranberry Company. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Tomah. Ray and Doris were active in the Mauston Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Ray was also dedicated to many other organizations. He was the past Master of Tomah Masonic Lodge #132 and received his 50 year member award, past president of the Mecca Shrine Club, member of Vernon Shrine Club, Grand Representative of Miss, just to name a few.

Belonged to Family Motor Coach Association of Badger Chapter Motor Homes and traveled in the state of Wisconsin, to rallies and National rallies. They spent their winter months living in a park in the Mission-McAllen area in Texas, where they met many wonderful people and saw a lot of the country.

Ray and Doris celebrated special wedding anniversaries and give thanks to their family and friends who made them possible. Ray was a true family man and dearly loved his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, Gary (Diana) Boettcher of Baraboo, Wis., and Terry (Mary) Boettcher of Tomah; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bradley Boettcher and his children, Austin, Joey and Will of Baraboo, Travis (Shannon) Boettcher and their children, Weston, Lydia and Tyler of Tomah, Tia (David) Castillo and their children, Sophia and Elias of Wauwatosa, Wis., Kelly (Drew) Caron of Tomah, and Troy (Andi) Boettcher and their children, Alecia and Xander of Glen Burnie, Md.; a sister, Vera Kuehl of Tomah; a sister-in-law, Marcella Austin of Tomah; along with nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Clara; his wife, Doris, in 2011; brothers, Earl, Gerald and Roland Boettcher; and a sister, Dorothy Kniefl.

The family would like to extend a thank you to Tomah VA Hospital for the excellent care given to Ray during his stay.

Funeral services with military honors will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, at First United Methodist Church in Tomah. The Rev. William McBride will officiate. A private burial will take place at a later date. A Masonic and Eastern Star service will be held 3:30 p.m. today at Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah; visitation will follow from 4 until 7:00 p.m. Family and friends are also invited for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the church."

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Raymond Otto "Ray" BOETTCHER and Doris E. AUSTIN were married on 7 November 1945 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵ Doris E. AUSTIN was born on 16 August 1922.⁴⁶ She died on 22 September 2011 at the age of 89.^46,47

Raymond Otto "Ray" BOETTCHER and Doris E. AUSTIN had the following children: