Raymond “Ray” Fuhrman, age 97, of Jordan, MN, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2023 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Jordan, MN. A Christian Funeral will be held for Ray at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 100 6th St W, Jordan, MN 55352, with Pastor Jeremy Glowicki presiding. Visitation time will be held one hour prior to services from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment at Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan, MN
Ray was born April 9, 1926, to Theodore and Molly Fuhrman of Jordan. His long life can be attributed to his love of God, family and Krustee’s cinnamon muffins. Ray loved to make people laugh with his storytelling. His vivid tales would draw people in with his details, animated voice and hand gestures.
He attended Jordan elementary and high school. Ray enlisted in the Navy when he was 17, to serve during WWII. He also served during the Korean War. His love of country was exhibited each morning by the way he displayed the flag at the front of the house and carefully brought it in each evening. He met the love of his life, Joan Kraemer, from Parkers Prairie, MN, through a mutual friend at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. They were married in 1955 and had seven children.
Ray’s outgoing personality served him well as he worked over three decades for BF Goodrich developing sales territories. Ray moved his family four times as he was reassigned to develop new territories for the company. In 1972 he took a new position for the company in Minneapolis and the family returned to his hometown of Jordan. His spare time was spent in his enormous garden, and he was able to provide his family and lucky friends/neighbors with healthy vegetables for many decades. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church where he served as a church elder. Ray retired at the age of 62. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In retirement, Ray and Joan served Meals on Wheels to homebound people in the Jordan area. They spent 24 winters in Texas as snowbirds enjoying time with family and friends who joined them. They also enjoyed many summers on Lake Ida where they had a mobile home. Ray joined a Jordan golf league and actively golfed with local Jordanites, his sons, son in-laws, and grandchildren until the age of 94.
Ray is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan; children Mark (Jean), Terri (Jim) Grider, Paul (Lisa), Dave, Jean (Pete) Busch, Nancy (Kip) Kemper, Florence (Tom) Hansen; grandchildren, John (Lindsay) Fuhrman, Angela (Cory) Ross, Meagan Grider, Will Grider, Dan (Cheryl) Grider, Rick (Stephanie) Grider, Jacob Fuhrman, Sam Fuhrman, Joan Fuhrman, Steve Busch, Mike (Alex) Busch, Noah Busch, Joe Kemper, Lauren (Brandon) Evens, Ben Kemper, Ryan Kemper, Grace Hansen, Abbey Hansen; 12 great grandchildren and many other loving relatives and friends.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Molly (Stresnak) Fuhrman; and sister, Fern Fuhrman.
