Raymond "Ray" Blazei

Raymond (Ray) E. Blazei, age 82, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2016. The son of Joseph and Frances (Janowski) Blazei was born October 6, 1933 in Kewaunee. In 1951, Ray graduated from Kewaunee High School and served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955 until 1959. After his time in the Navy, Ray started farming, which he loved and enjoyed. On June 17, 1961, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Buresh at SS. Cyril and Methodius Church. Ray belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and enjoyed deer hunting, bowling, playing cards, being in the woods, picking mushrooms in fall, and was very proud of his garden. More than anything, Ray enjoyed the special time spent with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Dorothy were members of St. Therese Parish, Stangelville. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy (Buresh), six children: Jeanne (Steve) Swagel of Denmark, John (friend Pam) of Kewaunee, Julie (Brian) Chaloupka of Kewaunee, Dale of Denmark, Dennis of Denmark and Diane (Dave) Van Deurzen of Luxemburg; 12 grandchildren: Amanda (friend Tim) Swagel, Luke (Brittany) Swagel, Mark (Erica) Swagel, Lynn (Scott) Vogeltanz, Kari (Mike) Kuehl, Kimberly (Shaun) Hardtke, Amie Chaloupka, Matthew Chaloupka, Colleen Van Deurzen, Kristin Van Deurzen, Anthony Van Deurzen and Erin Van Deurzen; 10 great-grandchildren: Jocelyn, Brynn, Kara, Kyle, Hayden, Paxton, Dalton, Tatum, Gage and Jacob, and are expecting Baby Hardtke in March. He is further survived by one sister, Rita Pribyl of Waukesha; six brothers-in-law: Woody (Elwin) Buresh of Green Bay, Bernie (Pat) Buresh of Denmark, Jim (Laura) Buresh of New Franken, Bob (friend Kay) Buresh of Algoma, Joe (Mona) Buresh of Green Bay and Frank (Mary) Buresh of Denmark; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Joseph and Frances, Ray was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Jr. and a sister-in-law Kathy Buresh. Family and friends may visit at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Road R, Denmark, on Friday, January 15, from 3-7pm. A parish prayer service will be held at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday at St. Therese Parish-St. Lawrence Site, Stangelville, from 10:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Saturday with Rev. Dennis Drury officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Our family would like to offer a special thank you to Unity Hospice, the Emerald Shores staff, Dr. Mark Villwock, Dcn. Bob and Crystal, Joan, and Kathy for the church services at Emerald Shores, and all the friends and family that came to visit regularly.

Reception:
Beverly Gardens
5911 Pine Grove Rd
Denmark, WI 54208