Raymond Joseph Elsinger, 96, died peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Hope Assisted Living where he had been a resident for the past 17 months. Prior to him living at Hope, he lived on his farm on South Water Street Road for over 47 years.
Raymond was born on the family homestead, Highway 49, Brownsville, on August 6, 1918, the 5 th child born to Wolfgang and Anna (Zangl) Elsinger jr. He was baptized and educated at St. Andrew’s Church & School in Leroy. On September 3, 1947, he married Lucille Mildred Goebel at St. Michael’s Church in Dotyville. They were married for 42 years before she preceded him in death on October 18, 1989.
During his life Raymond drove milk truck and worked at Kiekhaefer (Mercury Marine) before he started farming in the Oakfield, Byron and in 1967, Lomira area. He was a simple man who enjoyed dancing to polka music until he was in his early 90’s. He loved dairy farming and many times you could hear him singing to his cows at milking time. During his stay at Hope Assisted Living you could often hear him singing to the residents and staff.
Those Raymond leaves behind to cherish his memory are his daughters, Mary (John) Laudolff of Fond du Lac and Patty (Jeff) King of Campbellsport, and his son, Jeff (Brenda) Elsinger of Lomira; seven grandchildren, Jason (Lisa) Laudolff, Nick (Marcey) Laudolff, Ben King, Adam (Janelle) King, Bill King, Mike Elsinger and Jenny Elsinger; 10 great grandchildren, Trey, Kelsy, Kinsly, Brandon and Nicole Laudolff, Colin, Chase, Abram, Landon and Noah King; three sisters, Marie Roberts, Elsie McCrory and Flosie McCrory; two sisters-in-law, Betty Goebel and Margaret Mueller; his dancing partner for 25 years, Marie Sauer, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Raymond was preceded in death by three brothers, Art (Lydia) Elsinger, Norbert (Lovina) Elsinger and Ted Elsinger; two sisters, Josephine (Leon) Riese and Erna (Ed) Baierl; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Gene McCrory, Ed and Joe Goebel, Marie (George) Scanell, Agnes (Frank) Pickart and Rose (Willard) Vorphal.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Raymond will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2015, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Leroy. Father Tom Biersack will officiate and burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Lomira.
Raymond’s family will greet relatives at the church on Thursday, June 4, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue on Friday at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Mass.
Memorials to Hope Assisted Living are appreciated.
The Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home in Lomira has been entrusted with Raymond’s arrangements.
A special thanks to Patti Wells and her staff at Hope Assisted Living and to Agnesian Hospice for all the love and care they gave to Raymond.