Raymond Abbott Obituary Raymond Willard Abbott, age 95, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Heritage Cottages. Ray was born on April 24, 1917 to Curtis and Almeada (Lemon) Abbott on their family farm in rural Osage. He attended the Linnel school in rural Osage and graduated from Park Rapids High School. As a young man, Ray worked in the plumbing, electrical and carpentry trades in addition to helping with the family farm. During WWII, he worked in the test modification center at Offutt field in Omaha, NB modifying and inspecting B-17, and B-29 aircraft. After the war he worked as a carpenter, building bridges in North Dakota and Minnesota, until he retired in 1979. On April 4, 1948 he married Virginia Louise Larsen in Batesville, AR. They made their home northwest of Osage, MN from 1948 to 1965, and in 1966 moved to Park Rapids. Their union was blessed with seven children. Ray enjoyed spending time reading, following politics, doing projects in his garage and restoring his John Deere Model B tractor. He loved to crank up his tractor and give wagon rides to his grandchildren, and Louise’s day care children. He thoroughly enjoyed his many trips to Alaska, and would endlessly tell stories of his adventures helping his son Barry build a cabin, fishing for Salmon, flying around in Barry's small bush planes and of his favorite stories about the colorful characters he came to know in the Alaskan Wilderness. He is lovingly remembered by Louise, his wife of 64 years and his seven children: Barry Abbott of Sterling, AK; Sharon (John) Andrew of Hedgesville, WV; David (Mary) Abbott of Billings, MT; Martha “Marti” (Dale) Fischer of Park Rapids, MN; Robert Abbott of Baltimore, MD; Patty (Chris) Keithley of Sidney, MT; Julie Abbott of Eden Prairie, MN; 19 Grandchildren; 16 Great-Grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters; Evelyn Henderson and Marie Olson. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 11:00 Am at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, from 4 until 6 PM at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will also be held for 1 hour prior to the services on Monday. Pastor Mary Giese will be the officiant. Interment will be held at the Linnell Cemetery near Ponsford, MN.