Obituary
Raymond “Ray” H. Wurzel
After a difficult battle with cancer, Raymond “Ray” Harold Wurzel passed away peacefully on May 22, 2022 in La Crosse, WI at the age of 65. Ray was born on August 12, 1956 to La Verne and Betty Wurzel. He married the love of his life and best friend, Dawn Harris, on September 30, 1978.
Ray was a Wisconsin sports enthusiast and a loyal fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers. Ray enjoyed spending time in his garden tending to tomatoes and peppers that he would make into salsa and marinara sauce. He loved birdwatching and you could often find him sitting near a bonfire during cooler evenings.
Ray will be remembered for his kind soul and his generosity. He was always willing to help those in need and looked for the best in others.
He leaves behind his wife, Dawn Wurzel; sons, Jason, Jeff (Krista), Kurt, Ray (Rebecca), and Dennis Wurzel; daughters, April (Josh) Forer and Stacy Wurzel; grandchildren Kaylee, Blake, and Maya Forer and Michael, Madisen, and Matthew Wurzel); step-grandchildren (Caleb and Brittany McCutchen); step great grandchild, Sophia; his mother, Betty Wurzel; brothers, Steve and Doug Wurzel; and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, La Verne Wurzel, and other family members.
The family would like to thank UW-Carbone Cancer Center and Gundersen Health System for their personal care.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. A time of sharing will conclude the gathering at 6:00 pm. The family would love to hear any fond memories you have of Ray during this time.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
You fought a good fight, Ray. Such a gentle man and friend to all who met him, you left a legacy with your beautiful grandkids, they will forever remember their Grandpa. RIP my friend, our paths crossed often through Grade school, Middle, and High School, you always had a smile. You were an amazing quiet soul and you’ll be missed by so many . God Bless your family and as painful as it is, thank-you for sharing so quickly.
I will always remember as a kid attending your wedding. It was the first wedding I remember going to, and it was a beautiful one! Thank you Ray for bringing joy to my dear cousin Dawn, and giving her what she most wanted, a house full of children to love, who would love her, and grandchildren to bring her happiness. I know you will always be with your family, Ray even though they can’t see you. You are still living in Heaven, and loving all of them just the same. Prayers to Dawn, and all the kids and grandkids.
So sorry for your loss…Ray was a family friend and childhood neighbors. Ran into Ray last summer it was great to catch up…we could have talked all today! RIP buddy…
Sorry to hear Dawn, I was your best man in your wedding. Ray and I went way back and when we married we lost contact until the last few years: it was wonderful reconnecting with him. Him and I did many things I’ll remember but the one I remember most was in gym class, we were playing basketball and the “Football people “ were giving him a had time and I did the same thing to them that they did with, they stopped picking on him. The one I still feel bad about is again in gym and again basketball, I went to pass the ball down court and Ray ran into my hand and it knocked a tooth out. His mom caught me coming home from school and told me he was alright.
I have some appointments tomorrow that I’m going to try and change as I would like to be there, just wanted you to know if I can’t make it. He was one of my very best friends.
Sorry again, my prayers go out for you and the whole family