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Richard Raley

Richard “Rick” Raley age 74 of North Hudson died Friday December 13th at United Hospital in St. Paul following heart complications. Rick was born on December 9, 1939 in Oskaloosa, Iowa; the son of Samuel and Nellie (Kimes) Raley. He was raised in Oskaloosa where he graduated from high school. He would further his education at William Penn College. On March 21, 1963, he was united in marriage to Sharon Rae Shaw at Union Mills Christian Church in New Sharon, Iowa. This union would be blessed with four children Terri, Renee, Rich, and Eric. Rick worked as a manufacturing engineer for several companies that specialized in gear manufacturing. Over the years, he was employed for West Industries, NW Industries, KP Manufacturing and International Harvester.

Rick was a dedicated employee, but it was that of husband, dad, and grandpa that he was most proud of. He was active in his children’s school and sporting events. He also had great memories with his involvement with the Valley Arts Guild. He was a charter member of their board of directors and served as ‘stage manager’ many times helping with the lights, set, and even acting. Furthermore, he helped the transition to the Phipps Center For The Arts and proudly acted in their first play in 1983. He thoroughly enjoyed sports and was always willing to cheer on his Vikings or Iowa Hawkeyes. In fact, he was a talented athlete throughout high school and college.

Rick had many gifts, one of which was his quick, witty humor that he passed on to his children. He took pleasure in giving you his best rendition of Tim Conway’s Mr. T’T’Tudball. He was also very talented when it came to creating or engineering projects. He was inquisitive of how things worked to the point he enjoyed the challenge of making them operate better. He built his own computer, and then language to make it amortize loans, as well as a computer aided engraver. He also loved tinkering in his shop woodworking or fabricating metal arts.

Rick will forever remain in the hearts of his wife Sharon, children Terri (John) Nanda, North Hudson, Renee (Rick) Aswegan, Cedar Rapids, IA, Rich Raley, Hudson, Eric (Carol) Raley, Hudson, grandchildren Josh, David, Jake, Danny, Jaclyn (Brennan), Bryant, Robert, Sammuel, Jackson, and Madison; sisters-in-law Dorothy Raley and Shirley Raley. He joins his parents, siblings Edwin, Jean (Ira), Kenneth, Alma (Dean), Sam, and Danny (Joyce) in Heaven.

Funeral Celebration of Life for Rick Raley will be 1:00PM Wednesday December 18th at Faith Community Church, 777 Carmichael Road in Hudson with Pastor Larry Szyman officiating. Interment will be private. His grandchildren and close friend Glenn “Chief” Kees will have the honor of serving as casketbearers. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 to 8PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson and one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday morning.