Obituary
Raymond M. Reisdorf passed away on April 19, 2025. He was born at his home on the
family’s dairy farm in Saint Charles, Minnesota on March 14, 1927. The youngest of
seven children born to John and Mary Jane (McCormick) Reisdorf.
Ray attended a one-room schoolhouse for 8 years, later graduating from St. Charles
High School and Winona Business College. In 1945 he joined Northern Field Seed Co
where he was trained as a Seed Analyst. In 1951 he moved to LaCrescent MN and
worked at LaCrosse Seed Company as an Analyst and Seed Buyer.
Ray was proud to serve in the US Army during the Korean War and had been a 70 year
continuous member in the American Legion. He was also a member of the 4th Degree
Knights of Columbus.
Ray married Lucy Dittrich in 1950 and together they welcomed 4 children. The family
enjoyed the out-of-doors and took frequent camping trips across the United States
over the years.
In 1971 he moved the family to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin when Ray took a job with L.L.
Olds Seed Company in Madison. He thrived in the Farm Seed Division, trading seed
between growers and farmers and became the President in 1990. Ray retired in 1992
at age 65. Throughout his career he was active in the American Seed Trade
Association, serving as Chairman of the Farm Seed Division for several years.
Ray lost 3 wives to illness over his lifetime and each time found love again, setting an
example of resiliency that his family speaks of with pride. In 1999, he and his third wife
(Ann), moved to The Villages, Florida, where they kept active with their many friends
and visitors, travel and golf.
Ray is survived by 3 of his 4 children: Kathryn (Ray) Young, MC (Val Hodgson) Reisdorf
and Chuck (Sue Fuhrman) Reisdorf, 6 grandchildren: Christine (Charles) Wright, Megan
(Matthew) Wisniewski, Nelson Reisdorf, Miranda (Brian) Parrish, Cole Reisdorf,
Rebecca Reisdorf and 4 great grandchildren: Colton, Teagan and Harper Wright and
Juniper Wisniewski. He is further survived by Jill Bender (daughter of Ann), a special
friend: Carolyn Steinbeck, the children and grandchildren of Dorothy and 25 nieces and
nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wives: Lucy Christine (Dittrich) Reisdorf in
1988, Dorothy (Hein) Reisdorf in 1993, and Ann (Root Aide) Reisdorf in 2017. He was
also preceded by his daughter, Joan Janssen in 2021, Joan’s husband Tom Janssen in
2025, his parents, John and Mary Jane (McCormick) Reisdorf and his siblings and their
spouses: Sylvester (Lucille), Leo (Marie), Neil (Helen), Joseph Peter (Ethel), Gerald
(Rita), and Loraine (Cleon) Tibesar.
We love you Dad! We will think of you with a smile every time we drive by a field of soybeans!
A Memorial Service is planned for June 7 in Sun Prairie, WI.
Leave a reply