Richard Raukar Sr.

Richard G. Raukar Sr.
Richard G. Raukar Sr., 83, Hibbing, died peacefully with his family by his side, Fri. Nov. 2, 2012 in Hibbing.  He was born Nov. 25, 1928, son of and Anna  and George “Spotty”  Raukar in Carson Lake Location near Hibbing, where he grew up spending his youth playing baseball, hockey, swimming in the pits and working on grandpa Jacob’s farm.  He graduated from Hibbing High School in June of 1946 and enlisted in the Army that summer.  He was an Army veteran of World War II.  Upon his return from having served in the occupation forces in Japan and North Korea he attended Hibbing Community College.  It was there where he met his future bride Annette Gandsey.  They were married on Nov. 27, 1948 and remained so for 64 years.  He worked for Butler Bros. Mining/MA Hanna for 10 years before working for the Hibbing School District for 29 years as both a maintenance man/custodian and bus driver.  Richard was an avid softball player and pitched on both Class A and AA championship fastpitch softball teams for close to 40 years.  As his children were growing up he could be found coaching various Little League & Babe Ruth teams.  He was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the VFW, The Loyal Order of Elks, the American Legion and enjoyed competition and camaraderie as a member of the Hibbing Curling Club, the senior bowling leagues and the Senior Men’s Golfing League at the Hibbing Municipal Golf Course.  When he wasn’t working two jobs or playing sports, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, the love of his life, Annette, children Richard (Peggy) Raukar of Hibbing, Steve (Trish) Raukar of Kelly Lake, MN and Dr. George (Neha) Raukar of Providence, RI, a daughter-in-law, Michelle Raukar, a brother Kenneth (Judy) Raukar of Hibbing, his 9 grandchildren; Chad (Betty) Raukar, Nicole (Adam) Osborne, Cade (Laura) Raukar, Peter (Nicole) Raukar, Michael (Carey) Raukar, Aaron (Erin) Raukar, Lindsay (Dan) Lerick, Zia Raukar and Dylan Raukar and his 14 great grandchildren Calli, Steffani, Parker, Ryan, Dylan, Nevaeh, Obidia, Elijah, Alli, Drew, Quinn, Piper, Henry and Charlie.
He was preceded in death by his son Michael Raukar, his parents and a sister Dolores Blazina.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  The Rev. Brian Lederer will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be in the church from 10 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  The family requests that donations be made to North Star Hos

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