Ray Eldon Mudgett

RAY ELDON MUDGETT, age 71 of rural New Richland, died on Monday, March 25, 2019 in Steele County.

Born in Sandstone, Minnesota on January 9, 1948, Ray was the son of George and Maxine (Briggle) Mudgett.  Following his schooling Ray entered the United States Marine Corps in June of 1967.  After serving in Vietnam he met the love of his life, Linda Miller.  They were married on November 7, 1969 in Morristown.  He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1973. Later he and Linda bought a farm in rural New Richland where they ran a small dairy operation for many years.  It was there that the couple taught their children the value of a hard day’s work.  Ray also worked at Brown Printing in Waseca for a career spanning 43 years.  He took great pride in spending time hunting, catfishing, and cooking syrup with his grandchildren and friends, and he loved to recount the stories that arose from those times.  Anyone who knew Ray knew that after Linda passed away in 2014 his heart broke.  Every year on Valentine’s Day and on their wedding anniversary he still bought her a card expressing how much he loved and missed her.  Ray was a man who definitely knew how to play every card in his deck.  He will be remembered as a humble Vietnam Vet, a farmer, a loving husband and father, a proud grandpa, and a true friend.

Ray is survived by four children, Ray Mudgett, Jr. of Waseca, Bonnie (Kevin) Klemmensen of New Richland, Barry Mudgett of Waldorf, and Billy (Becky) Mudgett of New Richland; eight grandchildren; three siblings, Judy Thomas of Odessa, TX, Janice (Harley) Sylvester of Sturgeon Lake, and Danny Mudgett of Barnum; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda; one son in infancy, Randy; one brother, Ronnie; and one sister, Ramona.

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