In loving memory of
Raymond Richard Rantala
April 30, 1935 - April 19, 2018
Age 82 of Chaska. Loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully April 19, 2018.
Survived by children, Lauri Rantala, Ramona Rantala, Raymond (Julianne) Rantala; grandsons, Raymond Rantala, Alexander and Jacob O'Neill; and his devoted companion of 17 years, Joanna Victor. Preceded in death by parents, George and Helen (née Suomala); brothers, Eugene, Robert, David, and unnamed infant; former wife, Dionne Rantala (nee Zitzmann).
Raymond was born in Oulu, Wisconsin and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit. He was an faithful hunter and an avid world traveler, often combining both interests. Raymond was a lifelong, skilled numismatist and in his later years assembled a small yet impressive collection of Pre-Columbian art. He was a remarkable polymath who studied Egyptian hieroglyphs, Finnish, and Chinese. He had a natural talent for origami and shared his creations not only with family and friends, but with schoolchildren and seniors as well.
Funeral service 11 AM Wednesday, May 2nd with visitation one hour prior at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake.