Raymond Eskildsen

Raymond “Ray” Eskildsen, 85, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City, Iowa.  
    Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 1, at the Christian Church, 302 Highway 18 W., Clear Lake with Pastor Scott Wilson officiating.  The family will greet friends

one hour before the service at the church.  Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Following the service a luncheon will be provided at the Clear Lake V.F.W.  A private inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, the following day.  Memorials may be sent to the Raymond Eskildsen Memorial Fund, 236 7th St. N.W. Mason City, IA.
    Ray was born Feb. 15, 1926 in Kensett, Iowa the son of Aage George and Elizabeth Christine (Schott) Eskildsen.  He attended rural school in Northwood, Iowa and then enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific.
    Ray moved back to Northwood after the service, married Odella Hulshizer and farmed for several years.   On Oct. 24, 1958 he married Aurelia “Wegie” Fent in Albert Lea, Minn.  From 1958 until 1966 he worked for Pittsburg Glass.  In 1966 he opened River City Glass which he owned in partnership and operated until he retired in 1988. Ray and his wife, Wegie, moved to Clear Lake in 1975.  After retiring from River City Glass he worked part-time for Clear Lake Park and Recreation Dept. for 15 yrs.
    Ray enjoyed playing cribbage, wood working, golfing, fishing, spending time with his family and hanging out with his buddies at the Clear Lake V.F.W.  He was a member of the Christian Church, Clear Lake Evening Lions, Clear Lake V.F.W. Canteen Committee, Life member of the Clear Lake V.F.W.  and Clear Lake V.F.W. Honor Guard.
    Left to cherish his memory are children: Larry (Su) Eskildsen, El Centro, Calif., Roger (Jennifer) Eskildsen, Mason City, David (Patti) Eskildsen, Bullhead City, Az., Jeff Eskildsen, South Bend, Ind., Reta (Darrell) Ulve, Kensett, Iowa, Paula Gerdes (Jim Pinkham), Lake Geneva, Wis. and Jay (Connie) Bjorgo, Ripley, Okla.; 17 grandchildren, Ryan, Brad, Brian, Jeremy, Chad, Dawn, Shannon, Shane, Jason, Matt, Todd, Teri, Brandy, Heather, Eric, Dawna, Brandi;  25 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Arlene Gore, Albert Lea, Minn., Betty Hendrickson, Northwood, and Shirley (Lehman) Floy, Phoenix, Az.; many extended family members, friends and V.F.W. comrades of “The Round Table.”
   He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Aurelia; son, Steven Eskildsen and his wife, Karen; four brothers, Glen, Richard, Robert and Leo Eskildsen; two grandchildren, Linda Ulve and Brent Eskildsen.
  Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.