Raymond Joseph Detke

Ray Detke, age 85, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Blue Earth on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth on Thursday, January 19 at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation from 4:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Blue Earth, and one hour prior to Mass at church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.Ray was born on June 23, 1926 to Albert & Clara (Broghammer) Detke in Divide County, North Dakota. He graduated as valedictorian from Alamo High School in 1944. He served in the Navy during WWII from January, 1945 to June, 1946 as a radar operator in both the Atlantic & Pacific oceans. He worked for John Deere as a service manager and as a territory manager before coming to Blue Earth in 1954 to run the local John Deere dealership. He owned and managed Detke-Morbac until his retirement in 1992. He was involved in various aspects of the community serving as a Board Director at Mid-America Bank (now Wells Fargo), as a foundation board member for United Hospital District, & as a church council member, minister of communion, & usher at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.He married Mary Sonnek on January 14, 1961, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton, MN. They celebrated 51 years of marriage & raised three children. They enjoyed their annual travels to the Phoenix area throughout their marriage, eventually splitting their time between their homes in Scottsdale & Blue Earth. Ray will be remembered for his integrity in business, his joy in family & friends, his constant curiosity, & his endless sense of humor.Ray is survived by his wife, Mary, his 3 children: Jean (Joe) Kelly of Lindstrom, MN, Mark (Debbie) Detke of Houston, TX, Carol Hamlin of Plymouth, MN, and 4 grandchildren: Megan Kelly, Maura Kelly, Caitlin Detke, & Sam Detke. He is also survived by 3 siblings: Fred (Shirley) Detke of Sun City, AZ, Arlin Detke of Carson City, NV, & Mary Stokes of Carson City, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents & 4 siblings: Henry "Bud" Swenson, Milton Swenson, Alberta Detke, & Charles Detke.