Raymond J. Trenda, longtime resident of Owatonna, died March 27, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living in Owatonna. Mass of Christian Burial is set for Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery with Military Honors by the Steele County Funeral Unit. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 am until the funeral liturgy on Saturday.
Ray was born March 21, 1922 in Lonsdale, MN, the son of Vincent and Bessie (Machacek) Trenda. He attended country school. Ray was drafted into the Army from 1946-1947 and went to basic training in Fort Belvair, Virginia. He served in Osaka, Japan as a member of the 25th Infantry Division Band and played clarinet. Ray was united in marriage to Gertrude Marchwick on July 30, 1946 at St. Hyacinth Church in Owatonna. Ray worked for Jostens for 25 years and later at OTC. He retired in 1982. In retirement, he enjoyed the game of golf as well as delivering car parts and flowers for various companies. A major part of his life was surrounded by music. He played the clarinet, saxophone, and concertina for several bands in the Owatonna area that included Romie and Ray's Concertina Band and Ray's Band. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their school activities. Ray was a member of the Owatonna Knights of Columbus Council 945, American Legion, Owatonna Eagles, and V.F.W.
Ray will be missed by his children; Terry (Cyndee) Trenda of Maple Grove and Sandy (Tom) Standke of Owatonna. Survivors also include five grandchildren; Jenny (Derek) Stendahl, Robb (Meggie) Trenda, Sarah (Rob) Martin, Beth (Eric) Fink, and Eric (Lacy) Standke and nine great grandchildren as well as his siblings; Stan Trenda, Frank Trenda, Don (Mary) Trenda, and Donna (Jim) Peterson. He was preceded in death by wife Gertrude and sister Martha Finch. |