Ray Gielarowski

Ray Gielarowski, 83, passed from life on Earth to eternal life on June 29, 2014, with his family by his side.

Ray grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, born Feb. 28, 1931, to Thomas and Annie Gielarowski. He was the youngest son in a family of 10 children. He graduated in 1948 from Proctor High School. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, he served honorably in the Korean War and was awarded a Purple Heart.

In 1961, Ray began the adventure of a lifetime when he traveled the Alaska Highway with his wife Phyllis and their 18-month-old daughter, Nancy. He joined three of his brothers in Anchorage to operate the Rangeview Mobile Home Park. His son Rory was born in 1964 in conjunction with Ray’’s birthday and the Alaska earthquake. Ray continued to work in the family business for the next 37 years.

Moving to the Mat-Su Valley in 1983, Ray enjoyed his home, yard, family and friends. He retired in 1998 and continued to stay busy working on various projects and keeping all of his family under his watchful eye. His three grandsons quickly learned that even in retirement, you could set your watch by grandpa’s schedule, and he always enjoyed talking about work, weather and vehicles. Never able to keep a secret, Ray quietly, yet generously, let everyone in his life know how important they were.

Preceding him in death were his parents, six brothers, and two sisters.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Phyllis; son, Rory; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Mark Bertels; three grandsons, Nate, Joe and Luke Bertels; and many friends from a long and happy life.

“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” his family wrote.

Memorial services for Ray are at 2 p.m., July 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with a reception at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Ra by making a donation to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the charity of your choice.