Raymond Vaudrin, 81

Thief River Falls - Raymond Vaudrin, 81, died Thursday, May 6, 1999 at the CNC unit of Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.

Mass of Christian Bur-ial was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Dennis Wieland officiating. Kristie LaSalle was the organist, and vocal music was provided by the Resurrection Choir.

Casket bearers were Delbert Audette, Ron Perrault, Dwain Vaudrin, Larry Vaudrin,
Richard Vaudrin and Steve Kolb. Honorary casket bearers were the "gang from Hardees" and the staff of Valley Home. Military honors were accorded by the Thief River Falls VFW and American Legion Posts. Interment was in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Raymond Vaudrin was born on July 30, 1917 in Red Lake Falls, the son of Napoleon and Leah (Gervais) Vaudrin. He was baptized, confirmed and attended school at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. After school he joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Aleutian Islands for four years during World War II.

On May 4, 1948 Ray was united in marriage to Rose Violette in Red Lake Falls. For five years the couple lived in Red Lake Falls where Ray worked for Red Lake Electric. They moved to Crookston when he began working for the Minnesota Highway Department. In 1958 they moved to Thief River Falls where Ray has continued to reside. After 31 years he retired from the Highway Department.

He was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of American Legion Post 117 and the VFW. He enjoyed dancing, gardening and his friends.

Ray is survived by three sons, Bernard (Mary Beth) of Arvada, CO, Francis (Mary Beth) of Shevlin and Daniel of Bloomington; one daughter, Barbara (Curtis) Loranger of Moorhead; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Annette (Wilfred) Audette of Red Lake Falls; one brother, Maurice Vaudrin of Grand Rapids; and his beloved friend, Marietta Jorgenson of Thief River Falls.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose; one daughter, Madelene Halvorson; his parents; five brothers, Oriphier, Amedie, Thomas, Donald and Emil; and three sisters, Exinia, Antonia Amiot and Cecilia Perreault.