Raymond John Prady, age 86 of Prior Lake passed away Monday, January 1, 2018. A visitation will be on Friday, January 5 from 4 to 7 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Drive in Prior Lake on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to the service. Ray will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Pastor John Vaughn will preside.
Ray was born November 22, 1931 in Lancaster, MN to parents George and Agnes (Firkus) Prady. He was the oldest of 3 playing big brother to sisters Alyce and Christine. He was raised on a rural dairy farm and enjoyed hunting and fishing and all the outdoors had to offer growing up.
After the 8 th grade he was called to full time duty on the family dairy farm, after which he was called to duty by the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Austria. It was upon his return from the service that at a local dance it was his fortune to meet the love of his life, Sue. Ray and Sue were married on June 23, 1956, after some difficulty, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, MN. They then enjoyed a Texas honeymoon that crossed 10 states!
Ray and Sue raised a family of 7 in their Prior Lake home with many fond memories. The fondest family memories came from summer vacations at Paradise Point on Leech Lake and their annual visit to the Minnesota State Fair. Ray was always very involved with the kids’ sports, especially baseball and hockey. Ray and Sue went on to enjoy many years of travel including a return to Austria, Las Vegas and Hawaii. Ray’s career has taken him from “Ray’s Place” to a myriad of operations positions with Sperry Corporation. They enjoyed a great deal of Craft shows along the way as Ray’s entrepreneurial spirit finding ways for his “creative handy-man” to thrive.
Of the many words to describe Ray, caring, proud, concerned and genuine, were the words “chivalrous and heartfelt” words not often used to describe men today, but certainly defining of Ray.
Left to honor Ray’s life are his wife; Sue Prady; children Tom (Jolene Chan) Prady, Deb (Greg) Simon, Mike (Susie) Prady, Shelly Prady, Scott (Audrey Ueke-Foster) Prady; Grandchildren Andrew (Katey Taylor) Prady, Lee Polla, Jake Polla, Tina (Jake) Bastyr, Jon (Heidi) Simon, Brittany (Jeff Kotta) Chaika, Kyle (Kassie Quinter Diaz) Prady, Danielle (Erik Swenson) Prady, Eric Bauman; great-grandchildren; Bailey, McKenzie, Megan and Chelsi, sisters:, Alyce Andersen and Christine Fuller.
Ray is preceded in death and welcomed to heaven by sons; Tim and Danny; parents George and Agnes (Firkus) Prady and brother-in-law Merle Andersen.
