Raymond Kirschhoffer

Ray Kirschhoffer, 89, departed on December 20, 2015 at the Rennes Center, in Weston, Wisconsin, with family members close by. Ray was born February 20, 1926, in Mutzig, France, the son of Charles and Elisa Kirschhoffer. He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, his children, Mark (Pat) Kirschhoffer, Jill (Jay) Punzenberger, Peter (Linda Cleghorn) Kirschhoffer, Jon (Kris) Kirschhoffer and brother in law, Arthur Fossland. Loved by 13 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends here in the US & Europe. Preceeded in death by his brother Jean and his parents Charles & Elisa Kirschhoffer. At the age of two, Ray came to the United States, with his parents, through Ellis Island and they settled in Zion, Illinois. He graduated from Marmion Military Academy, Aurora, Illinois and served 2 years in the Navy. After being discharged he attended the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana, and Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. In 1949 he married Marilyn Fossland, a University of Illinois graduate from Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. They started their life together in Zion, Illinois, raising their 4 children. In 1999 Ray and Marilyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and have remained devoted to each other until Ray's passing. Ray's first business was to own & operate a service station. He went on to own a 16-lane bowling alley. After 5 years he sold the lanes and joined Torginol Seamless Flooring and became the Assistant Zone Manager. In 1969, an opening developed at Hoffer Paint Company in Wausau, Wisconsin where he was the Divisional Manager in seamless flooring. In 1971 Ray was hired by the Marathon County Park Department to organize a Recreation Department for the city and county. It started as a part time job, which quickly developed into a full time position. He was passionate about the job he loved. He helped to start new clubs for bicycling, skiing, canoeing, soccer, running, walking and many more. He also, developed additional men's & women's sport leagues, took on the operation of a playground program along with operating the city pools and ice rinks. He retired in 1991. He was a member of the American Legion, a member of the Golden K (Kiwanis), the Breakfast Optimists Club, a member of the St. Matthew's Men's Club, and Member of Emeritus of Wisconsin Parks & Recreation. He was a long time member of the St. Matthews Church serving on the Parish Board, children's program, and Annual Tent Sale fundraiser. For his work he received awards from the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association, Marathon County Park Commission, the Optimist Club, and was the Cedar Ridge Elder Services Volunteer of the Year. Ray enjoyed fishing, Formula One racing & genealogy. Raymo, as many affectionately referred to him, also loved a good laugh. With a twinkle in his eye, he would draw cartoons or play jokes or pranks on friends & family. Even to the end, to gain a smile from those he met, he would greet everyone with a hearty YO! Raymo you will always be in our hearts and will be dearly missed! The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2015 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Zion, IL. Friends may call on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Mathew Catholic Church Building Fund or to Monk Botanical Gardens at 518 S. 7th Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401 or online at www.rwmonkgardens.org The Family would like to thank the Staff of Rennes Health & Rehabilitation Center, Ascera Hospice Care and TLC for their personal and loving care. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com