Kasel, Raymond D.

Raymond D. Kasel, age 77 of Clintonville, passed away on Friday morning, August 4, 2023 at his home with his loving wife at his side.

Raymond Dominic Kasel was born on June 11, 1946 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of six children born to Math and Rosemary (Wagner) Kasel. His early years were spent living on a farm at rural Barron, Wisconsin. He attended a one-room schoolhouse until his family moved into the city of Barron in 1955. He attended schools at Barron, graduating from Barron High School in 1965.

Following graduation, Mr. Kasel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He received military training at Lackland and Amarillo, Texas. From 1966 to 1968 he served at Misawa, Japan, and from 1968 to 1971 he served in Germany. After an honorable discharge, he attended University of Wisconsin-Barron County and went on to earn a BS degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. In 1975, he came to Clintonville, Wisconsin to accept a position with Unified Health Services and later Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services. He retired in 2003 as director of Waupaca County Industries at Manawa.

Mr. Kasel married Gloria Terfehr on June 30, 1979 in Kent, Minnesota. They went on to raise two sons. They enjoyed traveling together and with the family. Among the vacations were trips to Hawaii, New Orleans, Florida, the Black Hills, Washington D.C., Branson, the Bahamas, and an eight-country tour of Europe.

Mr. Kasel was an active member of St. Rose Parish, Clintonville. He was parish council president, trustee, and served on other parish committees. He managed the website for St. Rose and St. Mary Parishes for many years. He is a past member of Clintonville city council. He served on the Clintonville library board and chaired the Clintonville Housing Authority. He spent many years tracing his family genealogy. One branch of the family tree was traced to the 1500s. He was known to be a good cook. He enjoyed dancing, gardening and working on the lawn. In later years, some of these activities were curtailed because of multiple sclerosis complicated by the effects of neuropathy. Although there were many physical challenges, he never complained.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Kasel worked and advocated for people with disabilities. He was the legal guardian of a disabled man. He was always available to help others when he could. He was a humble man. He never boasted about his many accomplishments. When his mother’s health became increasingly challenging, he helped her move to Clintonville where he and his wife could better attend to her health needs.

Mr. Kasel is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Gloria. He is also survived by two sons: Philip (Megan Franks) and her two children, Madilynn and Laylani, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Matthew (Robin) and their two children, Payton and Madalyn, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. He is further survived by one brother, Matthew of Rapid River, Michigan; one sister, Rosemary (Victor) Vanderslice of Forest Lake, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Veronica Kasel of Menasha, Wisconsin. Twenty-one nieces and nephews further survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ramona Starkey; brothers, John “Jack” and Gerald; and sisters-in-law, Betty Kasel and Sandi Kasel.

“A useful life on Earth ended and an eternal home in Heaven began when he fell asleep to awaken in a better world.”

A memorial mass will be held at 11AM on Wednesday August 9, 2023 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Military honors will be conducted following the service by the Air Force Honors Team, VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, & VFW Auxiliary Unit #664, all of Clintonville. Inurnment will take place on a later date at Wayside Cemetery near Barron, Wisconsin, next to his parents.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday at the church from 9AM until the time of service.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Kasel family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.