Raymond "Ray" Guggisberg

Raymond (Ray) Emil Guggisberg, 95, died Monday, November 18, 2024 at his home in Perham, MN with family at his side.

Ray was born at home on May 19, 1929, in Willow Lake Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, to Henry and Fredericka (Kruse) Guggisberg. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on May 30, 1929 and confirmed on June 27, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran, Willow Lake Township. Growing up on the family farm in Willow Lake Township, he completed 8th grade at Wanda Public School before attending Lamberton High School. 

Ray and Darlene Fixsen were married on September 12, 1950; they were blessed to have four children together. They began their married life on Ray’s parents’ family farm. In 1956 they moved to Amor Township in Otter Tail County. Four years later, they moved to Evergreen Township, Becker County. Leaving dairy farming in 1961, they started a career in the real estate business in Fergus Falls, MN before moving to Battle Lake, MN in 1962. Ray returned to his farming roots when he took a job as a supervisor for Dairy Herd Improvement Association. He tested milk for farmers all across Minnesota and made many friends. For several years after retirement, Ray worked for Battle Lake Public School, driving the van for special-needs children.

In 2019, Ray’s beloved wife of 69 years, Darlene, passed away. Two years later, after 59 years in the big red house overlooking West Battle Lake, he sold the family home and moved to a townhome in Perham, MN, where he lived independently until his death.

Nourishing his faith with church attendance was a priority for Ray. He was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henning, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher. He and Darlene were instrumental in starting Life in Christ, a LCMS mission church in Battle Lake. After moving to Perham, he became a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran there.

Ray enjoyed many years with his bowling team. He took Darlene fishing in a boat, but he really preferred ice fishing. He spent many hours in his “other red house” on the lake. He was also a passionate vegetable gardener. He and Darlene preserved what they couldn’t eat and shared the rest. (He continued to grow tomatoes on his patio in Perham.) Ray also loved playing cards and board games with his family. Yahtzee was his favorite, and he often scored two Yahtzees in a single game. And he could be found, even into his 90s, happily tossing bean bags.

Ray is survived by his four children: Chad Guggisberg, Buhl, MN; Connie Johnson, Forest Lake, MN; Marcia (Peter) Eggen, Battle Lake, MN; and Delia (Doug) Whitcomb, Hugo, MN. He leaves eleven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren: Jennifer (Rich) Samec (Maja and Chloe); Emily (Clayton) Zeidler (Jillian, Vienna, and Genevieve); Louisa (Jason) Scorich (Zelda); Lara (Pat) Kempen; Mairin (Adam) Heath (Lawson and Myles); Jesse (Shauna) Johnson (Conner, Isabelle, and Lenora); Jake (Lindsey) Johnson (Colton and Tate); Thor (Vanessa) Eggen (Hayden and Silas); Eli Eggen (fiancée Pam Khang); Darcy (Ted) Frederickson (Jack and Grace); Brady (Andrea) Whitcomb (Sebastian and Lachlan); and his brother Vernon Guggisberg.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, his parents, son-in-law Bruce Johnson, daughter-in-law Joyce Guggisberg, brothers Harold, Roy, Louis, Herbert, sisters Hertha Zimmerman, Lorna Moore, and Alice Krizan.

Memorials preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church - Perham, MN, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church - Henning, MN, or Main Street Living - Fargo, online or 821 5th Ave S., Fargo, ND 58103.

Visitation: Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 4-7 P.M., at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake, and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 11 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2024, at St. Paul's Lutheran church in Perham, MN.

Interment: Lakewood Cemetery, Battle Lake, MN

Arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home - Battle Lake.