Ray Dumire

Ray Dumire, age 93 of St. Croix Falls and formerly of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin passed away Friday, February 23, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Ray was born in Taylors Falls, Minnesota on June 15, 1924, the son of William & Ruth (Hosier) Dumire.  The family lived in Lykens, Wisconsin.  They moved to Waterloo, Iowa later in 1924.  His parents, with other family members, went to the state of Washington in a model T Ford in 1926.  They returned to Iowa in 1927.

Ray attended the Elk Run elementary school, walking 1 ½ miles each way until the 7th grade when bus service was furnished.  In 1936 the family settled in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin.  Ray spent many summers with his Uncle Gordon and family in South Dakota.  At age 18 he went to California to work in the Kaiser Ship yards.  He entered the United States Army on July 30, 1943 and began basic training at Camp Roberts, California.  He left the states in March 1944 bound for the south Pacific.  He fought in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Fiji Islands, Bougainville and the Philippine Islands.  He was wounded on February 23, 1945 on Sumar Island in the Philippines.  He was returned to the states to hospitals in Van Nuys, California and Walla Walla, Washington.  He was honorably discharged in September 1945.

On December 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Berg.  They lived in South Dakota for 2 years, returning to Balsam Lake in 1951 where he began employment at the Polk County Highway Department and remained there until 1986, when he retired.

Ray was a volunteer fireman for many years.  He was a Cub Scout leader, Boy Scout leader, taught gun & snowmobile safety, was commander of the VFW Post, Union Treasurer, longtime American Legion member and active church member.  His favorite pass time was fishing especially with his children & grandchildren. 

Ray leaves to celebrate his memory: children, John, Jeanie, Jody, grandchildren, Jason, Jessica, Justin, Cassie, Amanda, Kristina, great grandchildren, Paige, Liam, Johnny, Sylas, Anson, Camryn, Jolene and Jared.  He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother and his wife Charlotte.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 2, 2018 at Bone Lake Lutheran Church with Pastor Ann Fenlason officiating.  Visitation will be held Thursday, March 1 from 4-7:00 P.M. at Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria and again one hour prior to the service at church on Friday.  Ray will be laid to rest along with his wife at Balsam Lake Cemetery.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with the final arrangements.

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