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 8th 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.
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Marge Feldman
Sue and family so sorry for your loss.
Theresa Fink
Sue, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Theresa (Walsh) Fink
Carol McQuillan
Denny and I are so sorry for your loss, especially difficult over the holidays.
Hugs and prayers to all of you.
Patti Peltz
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family, at this time. Keep your memories in your heart, they will help you heal.
Thinking of you
Jeff and Patti Peltz
Chris Riesgraf
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a tremendously, wonderful man! I was very lucky to have him as a neighbor growing up as a child. I loved it when he would ask Shelly and I, how are you doing “boys” when we were playing together. He always had a smile on his face. I will always remember the countless times I waved to him as he cut the grass on his riding lawnmower. He was so fun! RIP Ray… you will never be forgotten. Cherish his memory as you heal during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers are with you all.
Carrie karau
So sorry for the loss of a great man,,in the small amount of time my family and I had the blessing of knowing him he was such a wonderful person to know, always so excited to see and talk to my boys and they loved talking to him and just hang put and help him.. He will be greatly missed!
Bev Boegeman Seurer
Sue and family
So sad to hear of Rays death, I enjoyed running into you and Ray over the years . He was a very
Nice man.
Kim McDonald
I was so sad to hear of Ray’s passing. He was such a kind sweet man.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! I trust your happy memories will get you through this difficult time.
Bob and Grace Bergevin
Sue, our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. He was such a nice person.We wish we had seen him more. Cherish the memories. love to all.
Mari Wise Sorgatz
To the Whole Prady Family, I am saddened at Rays passing! I always enjoyed seeing him at church and school events while I was growing up! God bless you all, during this difficult time!!
Judy Rockow
Sue, I was so sorry to hear about Ray. I pray you are doing well. I will continue to send prayers for you and your family. Judy Rockow
Bruce R.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends. May you find some comfort in the promise found in Revelation 21: 3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14.