Ralph “Ray” Raymond Sotebeer, age 77 of Buffalo, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2019. He was born December 21, 1941 in Waseca, Minnesota, the son of Ralph and Clara (Morsching) Sotebeer.
Ray was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter Bell Lutheran Church in Waterville, Minnesota.
Ray graduated from Waterville High School in 1959 and proudly served in the US Army.
On November 2, 1968, Ralph Sotebeer and Marilyn Rau were united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church in Correll, Minnesota.
Ray worked as a lithographer running a five-color press with John Robert’s Printing Co. in Coon Rapids, and Walter G. Anderson Printing in Hamel, retiring in 2001.
Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling with Marilyn, and reading. He was a very knowledgeable man and wonderfully meticulous in all his doings. He will greatly be remembered for his distinguishing laugh. And although Ray did not have any children of his own, he treated his nieces and nephews as if they were his.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Clara Sotebeer.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Sotebeer; sister, Anita (Bill) Senne; brother, Jerald Sotebeer; siblings-in-law, Geraldine Whittemore, Phyllis (Steve) Sauer, Mark (Deb) Rau, Mary (Walter) Greene; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, family and friends.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Buffalo with Pastor Ryan Clark officiating. Burial will take place on a later day at West Lake Amelia Cemetery in Villard, Minnesota.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. 763-682-1363. www.thepetersonchapel.com
Raymond and I were both raised on a farm west of Waterville, about two miles apart.I remember Raymond as a very kind and pleasant person. Please accept my sympathy and may God be with the Sotabeer family at this time of great loss.
I used to go with my grandma to visit Ray’s grandma. We always had such a good time and Ray was always do kind. Condolences to his family and friends.
Marilyn so sorry to hear the loss of Ray. May you look to Christ for comfort at this time. Love and prayers to you and all the rest of the family.
Marilyn, our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of Ray. He always had a smile and a kind word when we saw him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God’s Blessings to you.