Ray W. Kage

Ray W. Kage, 88, 400 River Drive, Wausau, formerly of Marathon, died Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at the Hospice House, Wausau. He was born March 16, 1918 in Rib Lake son of the late Henry and Clara (Riehle) Kage. His family moved to Rib Falls and Ray attended schools in Athens, Marathon, and Wausau. On August 8, 1940, he married Florence C. Hornung at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. She survives. Ray was an Army Veteran of World War II, serving in the Mediterranean Theater. He served one campaign in North Africa and four campaigns in Italy. A member of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post No.469, Marathon since 1946, he became a life member in 1983. He was involved in the Marathon Little League for 15 years, starting in 1950. Ray was a member of the Marathon Village Board for 16 consecutive years and served as a volunteer fireman for 18 years. Among his many involvements, he helped to organize and worked on the annual Fun Days celebration for 43 years. He was a member of the Building Committee for the Marathon Senior Citizen Building and served in many offices and committees in his years of church and community involvement. Ray and his wife, Florence, raised ginseng for 22 years until their retirement in 1986. Ray owned and operated Kage's Freight Line for 13 years. He was employed in the Marathon School District for 10 years and drove bus for Knauf Bus Service for 8 years. He also worked for Badger Basket in Edgar and the White House in Marathon.Ray enjoyed sports, especially baseball. Since 1932, he was a Chicago White Sox fan. Ray liked old time music, reading, traveling, eating out, playing cards and watching his grand and great-grandchildren grow. He loved life and people. To him, strangers were but friends he hadn't yet met. Survivors include his wife, Florence; one daughter, Charlene A.(Tom) Hamerla, Wausau; three sons: Thomas R. Kage, Marathon, Stephen W. Kage, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Peter A.(Julie) Kage, Plover; six grandchildren: Paul (Kelly), Woodruff, Chris, Rothschild, Zachary and Rachel, Wichita, KS, Dana and Amanda, Plover; two great-grandchildren: Jacob and Naomi Hamerla, Woodruff; one sister, Amella Beilke, Wausau; sisters-in-law: MaryAnn Kage, Wausau, and Elmyra Kage, Marathon. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers: Harold (Eleanor), Herbert, Wilfred and Leroy (Gretchen) Kage. The funeral mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2006 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at church. There will be an American Legion Memorial Service 7 p.m. Friday at the Marathon funeral home. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's, Marathon, St. Anthony's Retreat Center, Marathon, Hospice House, Wausau, or the Salvation Army. The family wishes to thank all the family, friends and caregivers for the support given to us. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com