Raphael “Ray” Vsetecka

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:36 pm

Raphael “Ray” Vsetecka, 88, of Cresco, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at Hawkeye Care Center in Cresco. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery Cresco. Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, 404 N Elm Street Cresco, with a parish scripture wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation continued from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church Saturday.

Raphael J. Vsetecka was born March 8, 1927, son of Frank and Anastasia (Klima) Vsetecka near Jackson Junction. He attended parochial school in Protivin until the 8th grade. Ray married the love of his life, Delores, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin Oct. 22, 1951. Ray had farming in his blood and took great pride in keeping his farm buildings, machinery and land in top condition. He was a “jack of all trades” who excelled in carpentry, painting and fixing farm machinery. Ray enjoyed playing the guitar, dancing with Delores, polka music, reading, playing cards and socializing. Ray especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His adventures, vivid imagination and sense of humor would keep them entertained for hours. He kept his Czech heritage alive through the language, the customs and by visiting the Czech Republic. He liked taking road trips and traveling to Richland Center to attend farm machinery sales.

Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delores, of Cresco; children: Donna (Mike) Miller of Cresco, Quentin (Darlene) Vsetecka of Cresco, , Teresa (Robert) Uhlenhake of Ossian, Anita (Rick) Richard of Monona, Lori (Rod) Freidhof of Cresco, Denise (Bryan) Sheehy of Cresco and Rodney (Rachel) Vsetecka of Cresco; son-in-law Mark Carolan of Ridgeway; grandchildren: Shelley (Casey) Kettmann, Robert Miller, Holly (Ryan) Manske, Danielle Vsetecka, Jenna Vsetecka, Andie Vsetecka, Austin Vsetecka, Wendy (Daniel) Kuennen, Rob (LeAnn) Uhlenhake, Amber Uhlenhake, Bryce Uhlenhake, Lindsey Richard, Julie Carolan, Eric Carolan, Nick Freidhof, Leigh Freidhof, Kate Sheehy, Meredith Sheehy, Hannah Sheehy, Danica Vsetecka and Derek Vsetecka; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Lincoln, Brooksen, Kade, Addisen, Parker, Kashten, Kaylee and Brantley Ray; his brother, Alvin (Patricia) Vsetecka, of Lawler; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Vsetecka of Lawler and Norma Stone of Sparks, Nev.

Preceding him in death were his parents Frank and Anastasia; son, Harlan; daughter, Joleen Carolan; granddaughter, Claire Sheehy; great-grandson, Alexander Kettmann; his brothers: James, Frank, Marcelline, and Cletus; and sisters: Elsie, Margaret, Gertrude and Marcella.