Raymond Edward “Ray” Arntson, age 76, of Hammond, WI, died on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN. Ray was born in Spokane, WA on September 26, 1940, and was raised in Appleton, MN by his parents Morris and Edna (Dittberner) Arntson. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1958, and attended Moorhead State University for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was married to Karen Shawd in 1959. They were divorced in 1981. After seven years and one month of service to his country, Ray received an honorable discharge, and returned to college at the University of Minnesota, where he would earn a Bachelors and Masters degree in Engineering. 

Ray worked in the Environmental and Health Safety field as a Safety Engineer for Aetna Life and Casualty, the University of Minnesota, and as a private consultant. He was a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the American Society of Safety Engineers Consultants Practice Specialty. Though Ray retired in 2005, he was still a sought after consultant for those who needed a trusted resource.  

Ray was united in marriage to Denise Truckenmiller on June 23, 1985 in Marshall MN. Together, they enjoyed traveling, time spent at their lake cabin, and their home in Arizona. Ray enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing. Ray lived in Idaho during his time in the service, and had an affinity for the mountains, Yellowstone Park, and the West. As the son of a mechanic, Ray was raised with an expert sense of automotive and mechanical aptitude. Ray was an intelligent man who liked to know things. He will be missed by many. 

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Denise; his children, Gregg (Joy) Arntson, Pam (Wilson Fan) Arntson, and Todd Arntson; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Edna. 

Funeral Services for Ray Arntson will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 11th Street S. in Hudson, WI. Visitation will be held beginning at 9:00am. Burial with full military honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials honoring Ray Arntson may be directed to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, or the Cancer Research Institute.