Raymond J. Kostel, 80 of Wagner

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 7, 2015 at St. John Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner, followed by a 7 p.m. rosary/wake service at the church.

Raymond passed away December 4, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner, with his wife Jane by his side. He is at peace now and will be spending his first Christmas in the arms of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Raymond John Kostel was born in Wagner on January 4, 1935 to Edward and Rose (Swatek) Kostel. He grew up on a farm south of Wagner with brother Ernest and sisters Florence, Irene and Betty. He attended country school until 8th grade, then when on to Catholic School in Tabor, and graduated from Wagner in 1954. In high school, Ray organized and played trumpet for the Red Raven Orchestra. After graduation, he spent two years in the Army where he was stationed in San Francisco with the Guided Missile Unit. After serving, he returned home to farm with his dad and brother Ernie.

Ray married Joan Andersh on August 27, 1957. To this union six daughters were born: Diane, Gloria, Susan, Cheryl, Linette and JoEllen. Joan passed away June 1992.

During his life Ray farmed and worked Civil Defense. He was also the head bus mechanic and drove school bus for Wagner Community School for 37 ½ years.

Ray loved to watch NASCAR, Vikings football, hunt, fish, and build. His creations include a combine cab, log splitters, drive-on tailgate for trailers, camper, race car, mini hot rod and a cannon. A pair of hand-crafted steel geese make their home in front of the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner.

In 2000, Ray and Jane Horner Andersh were married. With 12 grown children between them, their initial plan was to sell both of their homes and spend a month with each of their children…but, they decided to keep Ray's home on Lake Andes where they enjoyed the lake and spent many hours watching wildlife out their patio doors. They continued to drive school bus, while enjoying their love of travel, fishing, and visiting their families.

In 2013, Ray started slowly sliding down a long, slippery slope. It was a living hell for him, and extremely hard on loved ones standing by helplessly. On June 11, 2014 Ray had a hemorrhagic stroke that left him unable to mobilize. He spent the rest of his life in the Wagner Good Samaritan Society. Jane moved to Wagner to be close to visit, feed and care for him. In January Ray celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends- Ray sang along with the band as they played Bohemian music, and enjoyed cake and ice cream…he had a great day!! On February 14, 2015 Ray and Jane celebrated their 15th Anniversary with another day of family, friends and music.

Thankful for sharing his life are his wife Jane of 15 years; his daughters: Diane (Terry) Gudahl, Gloria Kostel, Susan Altieri, Linette Kostel and JoEllen (Chris) Graham; stepchildren Ed (Marge) Andersh, Kevin (Georgia) Andersh, Deb (Rich) Bures, Burt (Barb) Andersh, Tim (Elaine) Andersh and Tami Andersh; five grandchildren, 18 step-grandchildren, two great grandchildren, seven step-great grandchildren, one step-great-great grandchild; two sisters: Florence Kokesh and Betty Broz; and sister-in-law Lucille Kostel.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joan; daughter Cheryl Kostel-Cessa; brother Ernie; sister Irene Cuka; brothers-in-law: Don Broz, Mike Kokesh and Bill Cuka; one nephew and two nieces.