Late May/early June of 1963: Our farm was Fr. Ray’s last stop before he headed back to Fort Dodge after visiting his Alton/Remsen area siblings. It had become obvious the narcotic pain killers he was taking for his cancer made it physically impossible and unsafe for him to drive any further. My sister, Joan, and I were asked to drive Fr. Ray (in his ‘62 Chevrolet sedan) back to Fort Dodge where he was the chaplain at Mercy Hospital.

In the back seat was our uncle. In front was me behind the wheel. Fr. Ray provided the necessary directions and cracked an occasional joke. This was so typical of his personality; warm, genuine, witty, always positive. And Joan and I wore hats!

It was dark when we arrived at the hospital’s garage where we dropped off Fr. Ray and were shown how to open and close the garage door when we returned.

Fr. Ray: “Cruise around. Have fun. Stay out as late as you wish. Turn in the keys at the front desk. Someone will be at your door in the morning to take you to the train for your trip back to Remsen.”

He bid us a cheerful goodnight with not a hint that we’d never see him again. Our uncle passed away on June 14th.

We had our first and last train ride (and we wore hats!).

Contributed by Mary Pick Wagner

Fr. Ray sent this card out for what ended up being his last Christmas, 1962. He sent this photo card with a personalized typed note on the back. The top right note was likely to one of his siblings. He really enjoyed his time in his shop as indicated by how poorly he felt but found joy working in the shop.

The bottom note was written to my family (Elmer and Marvel Pick family). The Betty Crocker comment was referring to my winning the home economics “Betty Crocker Award” that year.

“My, how I’ve missed you all! Might be I will see you these holidays. Let’s hope. Should really give Mary Louise, you know that Betty Cricket Craker Champ, you know, winning all them there fancy medals and everything last snow time. Am working on the Vonnahme now and am putting on a good squeeze hold soon. Keep squeezing kids and be good to Daddy when your Momma is away, whatever that means.

Blessings like that guy on other sats….Ray”

He was clever and funny!

Contributed by Mary Pick Wagner