Raymond S. Fortney

Raymond S. Fortney, age 93, of Soldiers Grove, passed away peacefully Friday, April 23, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born January 15, 1928, in rural Soldiers Grove to the late Severin and Bertha “Mala” (Hauge) Fortney. Following his mother’s death when he was a small child, his father married Esther Nelson, who helped raise him and his siblings. She was like a mother to him. He attended school in Soldiers Grove. Following his schooling, he worked on the family farm and was proud to be a farmer his entire life. He married Emma M. Knutson on September 15, 1945. Together they celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage. Their favorite pastime was going dancing with family and friends. They both had a love of music. Raymond was a wonderful family man. He enjoyed fishing and later in life loved to teach his grandchildren how to fish. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people smile and laugh. If he saw someone in need, he was the first one to lend a helping hand. His family never left his home without hearing Raymond say, ‘I love you.’ He was a lifelong member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and was always willing to lend a hand at the church as well as to anyone he knew or didn’t know if they needed help in any way. Survivors include his children: Judith Salmon, Katherine (Jerry) Buchal, Elizabeth (William) Swiggum, Steven Fortney, and Karen (Kyle) Childs; his grandchildren: Bradley (Vickie) Everson, Brian (Lynn) Everson, Amy (Dan) Martin, Jennifer (Mark) Knutson, Scott (Brittney) Salmon, Evon (Jim) Schuenke, Lynnette (Mike) DeWall, Tina (Kelly) Buchal, Jerry Scott (Annette) Buchal, RaChell (Alan) Strait, Bill Swiggum, Jaime (Greg) Hendrickson, Dustin (Amanda) Swiggum, Christopher (Andrea) Fortney, Celeste (Karleton) Merz, Allison (Brad) Deckert, Marcie (Jake) Connelly, Jared (Taryn) Childs; 42 great-grandchildren (and three more on the way); 14 great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Bernice Herder, Sandra Fortney and Carroll Lombard; his sisters-in-law, Tolene Buroker, Shirley Fortney, Therese Fortney; his brother-in-law, Roderick Olson; his special life long friend, Teddy Jerman; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother; his wife; his siblings: Myrtle (George) Wadsworth, Kenneth (Helen) Fortney, Donald Fortney and Victor Fortney; his grandson by marriage, Cassidy Parker; his great-grandson, Brooks Strait; sons-in-law, Roger Everson and Lyle Salmon; brothers-in-law: Warren Crook, Edwin Burg, Merrill Herder and Doyle Lombard. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 28, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. Face masks are encouraged. Due to COVID-19, a private funeral service will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Soldiers Grove. Raymond will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Marquardt Hospice West, or North Crawford Rescue Squad. Raymond’s family would like to thank Pastor Carrie Anderson, Marquardt Hospice West (in particular Gil, Theresa, and Tammy) and Dr. Kalinosky for the care they have provided. Also, a special thank you to our family and friends for the support offered. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills is serving Raymond's family. 325 Sunset Ridge Ave. Gays Mills, WI 54631 608-735-2100