Raymond I. Kuznia

Raymond I. Kuznia, 90, of Stephen, MN, passed away on Friday, November 9, 2018, in Bethany on 42nd, in Fargo, ND.

Raymond Ignatius was born on July 30, 1928, to Benedict and Mathilda (Stalloch) Kuznia, one mile west of Florian, MN. He was raised on the family farm, attended country school and one year of high school in Stephen before having to leave early to help support his family. In 1952 he enlisted in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. Upon his return home, he worked at the Farmers Grain Co. elevator, and would manage it from 1961 until his retirement in 1994.

On June 7, 1958, Ray was united in marriage to Agnes Cullen, in St. Ann Catholic Church, Goodridge, MN. The two made their home in Stephen, where they would raise their children and live out the rest of their married life together. Ray was a leader in the Boy Scouts for a number of years and was a longtime member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Stephen American Legion. He had a deep faith and was a longtime member of St. Stephen Catholic Church, serving as an extraordinary minster of the Eucharist for many years. Ray was an excellent gardener and took pride in supplying his friends and neighbors with just about every kind of vegetable. His CB radio handle was “Green Thumb,” and it showed. He also enjoyed camping when his kids were young, hunting, fishing, four wheeling and watching his grandchildren's activities. He loved retirement and especially liked his part time job as bailiff for the Pennington County Courthouse. He made professional wrestling a family affair: Ray would watch the TV, and the family would watch Ray as he cheered and grappled with the air.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Agnes; eight children, Joseph (Renee), Timothy (Jodi), Benedict (Karen), Geralyn (Kipp) Loeslie, Patsy, Raymond D. (Jodi), Della (Dean) Neuharth and Jayne Corneliusen; eighteen grandchildren, Jared, Nicholas (Chelsea), Jocelyn, Mandy (Mike), Josh (Chelsey), Kayla (Josh), Kipp (Kelsey), Isaac, Alexis, Alyssa, A.J., Allison, Ashley, Chantel (Orlando), Blake (Jackie), Hailey, Hannah and Harlie; great-grandchildren, Makaela, Makena, Bentley and two on-the-way; and siblings, Irene Kiesow, Rudy and Clarence Kuznia.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Patrick; siblings, George, Alphonse, Florian “Floyd”, John, Theresa Jackson, Ben and Eugene Kuznia; and a young wife, Sylvia Kamrowski.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 10:30 AM, in St. Stephen Catholic Church, Stephen, MN.
VISITATION: Monday, November 12, after 5:00 PM, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, in St. Stephen Catholic Church; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Stephen.
MILITARY HONORS: Stephen American Legion, Post 353, and the Minnesota Honor Guard.