Richard Raguse, Sr.

Funeral Service for Richard Charles Raguse Sr., 78, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Friday, August 20, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Monson Township, Traverse County, Minnesota with Rev. Charles Horkey officiating. Pallbearers will be Dennis Krenz, David Krenz, Lyle Raguse, James Krenz, Kent Krenz and Donald Erickson. Organist will be Darlene Beyer. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery with military rites provided by the Wheaton American Legion. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Richard Charles Raguse Sr. was born to Julius and Sophia (Krenz) Raguse on July 14, 1932 in Graceville, Minnesota, and was the youngest of their three children. Richard was baptized and later confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, Minnesota where the family resided after moving from Wheaton. Richard received his education in the Beardsley Public School as well as at Concordia High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He assisted his father and older brother, Erwin Erv , in farming and with various family-run business ventures before graduating from airborne school and serving his country as a paratrooper in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Richard later pursued successful careers in banking in Minnesota, Illinois and California, and auto finance in California. Richard was united in marriage in 1956 to Glenda Knight and they had four children. He was also joined in holy matrimony to Kareen Denise and to later Linda Verrette. In 2006, Richard returned to his extended family in Wheaton, having moved from Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and gentle and kind nature. Richard enjoyed visiting with his family and friends, traveling, a good meal, and doting on his dogs, Bruin and Hooch. It was on August 16, 2010, that Richards earthly life came to an end in Rosholt, South Dakota. He enjoyed a full life of just over 78 years. We rejoice in our Lords promise to all who believe in him, that we can look forward to our Heavenly home, where there is no more sorrow, sickness or pain. Richard is survived by two daughters: Annette L. Wheeler of Checotah, Oklahoma and Christina L. Raguse (and her partner, Donna Holdridge) of Dekalb, Illinois, two grandsons: Jonathan Wheeler of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Porter Wheeler of Checotah, Oklahoma. He will also be missed by his nieces, nephew, and by countless other relatives, friends and neighbors. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Richard Jr. and David, brother, Erwin, sister, Deloris Dee , and his beloved dogs, Bruin and Hooch.