Raymond W. Wilde, age 96, of Markesan, died Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the Markesan Resident Home.

Visitation for Raymond will be held on Wednesday, July 5 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Thursday, July 6 at Markesan United Methodist Church, 74 W. Catherine St., Markesan from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ethan Larson officiating. Burial will take place at Markesan Memorial Cemetery.

Ray was born February 9, 1921 to Elmer and Edith (Williams) Wilde at Green Lake Center. He married Viola Koeppe on April 6, 1942 at the Markesan Methodist Parsonage.

Ray grew up across from Center House in Green Lake County. His parents owned the Center House store, and he spent many summers delivering groceries on a route that took him all around Big Green Lake. He also helped out area farmers doing part-time work and recalled using a walking plow behind two horses on the Rheiny Ebert farm, west of Marquette. When Ray was 16 he met a young lady named Viola who was working at a neighboring farm. They courted for 5 years, were married in 1942, and moved an old school house onto Margaret Street in Markesan where they renovated the structure into an incredible home.  He resided in that home for nearly 70 years.

Ray was a World War II veteran serving in the US Army from 1942-1945 in the European Theatre.  Ray claims that one of his most memorable experiences was seeing the Statue of Liberty with Kate Smith singing God Bless America as the ship approached NYC. He threw his mess-kit into the water and felt blessed to be back on US soil.Upon returning from the service, Ray joined his father and brother, Les, at E.W. Wilde and Sons farm implement dealership, which later evolved into Wilde Implement, INC.

Ray and his bride, Vi, loved to travel the world together…Hawaii, Spain, and Venezuela were a few of their most memorable destinations.

Ray's role as a father was one of his most important. He was a doting dad to Tom and Jean, and spent his lifetime making them laugh.  He also enjoyed spending time with his other "kid up the street," Dale Keach…they were known to play some pretty wild jokes on each other!

Ray adored his six grandchildren. He often told them stories about the night he was born and "heard the dogs barking" and shared many stories that highlighted his childhood mischief. He was known for singing loudly in the car (usually with words he made up), and pointing out every Madison Silo and Allis Chalmers tractor that came along the way. In recent years, seeing kids and babies was like a shot of medicine that always brought a big smile.

Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at the Tree Farm near Mecan with his childhood friend Russel (Red) Clark. Their shenanigans began at a young age and continued into their sunset years. Ray was also an avid Packer and Brewer fan and enjoyed watching the game on TV while listening to it on the radio.

Ray was a member of the Markesan United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion and a charter member of the Markesan Lion's Club. He volunteered for 30 years with the Markesan Fire Department. Ray was always volunteering to help family, friends, and neighbors. He enjoyed volunteering for Men's Hour at Riverdale Manor and the Markesan Resident Home.

He is survived by a son, Thomas (Diann) Wilde of Markesan; a daughter Jean Wilde of Markesan; six grandchildren: Dorian (Tony) Esquivel and Whitney (Brian) Bendorf of Beaver Dam; Chyanne (Lucas Prause) Pechacek and Amber (Caleb) Shanahan of Hudson, WI; Rowan (Matt) Burk of Princeton; Holden Wilde of Oshkosh; ten great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Karina, and Maya Esquivel; Dylan and Jozelyn Burk; Hayden and Peyton Pechacek; Ranen Dornfeld; Viola Lea and Holland Mae Shanahan; and further survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leslie; grandson-in-law, Eric Pechacek, and the love of his life, Viola.

Ray always said that he went to "The School of Hard Knocks"… but to his family, he was the smartest man there ever was.


Watch Ray's Life Tribute Video


Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.