Raymond Hendrick Kaleva

Raymond “Ray” H. Kaleva, 85 of Rolla, ND formerly of rural Rock Lake, ND died on Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Park View Assisted Living, Rolla. Funeral Services for Ray will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at All Nation’s Lutheran Church, Rock Lake, ND. Rev. Donald Kirklen will officiate and burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery, rural Rolla, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Mooney Carnahan Post #8196, Rock Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at All Nation’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ray will be Eric Lane, Tanya Tauer, Jamin Tauer, Michael Raasakka, Jerry Rattei, Melvin Juntunen, Robert Belisle and William Allard. Music will be provided by Diane O'Brien, Soloist and Carolyn Heller, Organist. Raymond Hendrick Kaleva was born on August 2, 1920 in Armourdale Township, Towner County, ND the son of Arvid and Mamie (Huovinen) Kaleva. He was the oldest of twelve children. Ray attended country school at Armourdale which was rather difficult as Ray only knew the Finnish language. After finishing school, Ray helped on farms and in the winter he drove horse and sleigh, picking up children for school. Ray entered the United States Army on November 10, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He served his country during World War II, in Ryukyus, the Eastern Mandates and the Western Pacific and was awarded the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster along with several other medals. Ray was honorably discharged on October 15, 1945 at Fort Lewis, Washington with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to North Dakota and was united in marriage to Rose Raasakka on February 7, 1946 at Rock Lake. They established their home at rural Rolla and to this union were born three children, Jerry Lynn, Linda and Karen. Rose died on April 16, 1952. In 1950, Ray moved to the family farm, west of Rock Lake. On October 7, 1953, Ray married Margaret Gordon and they had two children, Beverly and Duane. They made their home there where they lived, farmed through the years and raised their family. In 1987, Ray and Margaret moved to Rolla, ND. Margaret died on February 9, 1994. Ray continued to make his home in Rolla, moving to Park View Assisted Living in March of 2005. Ray was a member of All Nation’s Lutheran Church and served as a church elder. He was a life member of the Mooney Carnahan VFW Post #8196, served on the Howell Township Board, Rock Lake Elevator Board and the Mt. View Cemetery Board. Ray is survived by his children: Linda Krueger and her husband, Merrill of Devils Lake Karen Lane and her husband, Wes of Jamestown, ND Beverly Neameyer and her husband, Steven of Mylo, ND Duane Kaleva and his wife, Carol of Rock Lake Grandchildren: Tanya Tauer and her husband, Jamin of Bismarck Eric Lane of Edmore Great Granddaughter: Megan Rae Tauer Sisters: Ellen Kaleva, Rolla, ND Velma (George) Raasakka also of Rolla Noma (Reuben) Reiser, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Doris Kaleva, Rolla Brothers: Rodney (Margo) Kaleva, Oroville, California Larry (Carole) Kaleva, Cut Bank, Montana Many Nieces and Nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rose and wife, Margaret; infant son, Jerry Lynn; brothers, Edwin, Reno, Wilfred and Rupert Kaleva; sister, Verna Stenson. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com