Raymond Parnel Bjornson, 68

Published 9:26 am Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Raymond Parnel Bjornson was born Oct. 13, 1946, in Canby, Minnesota, the oldest child of Mavis (Cech) and Parnel Bjornson of Madison, Minnesota.

Raymond Parnel Bjornson

He was baptized and confirmed at Garfield Lutheran Church of rural Madison and graduated from Madison High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Morris, with high honors in 1968 and then did graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in mathematics and statistics. In 1970, he began his employment with Hormel in Austin, Minnesota.

On March 31, 1979, Ray was married to Susan Locher Raun. They had two children, Sarah Jean and Erik Ray. Susan passed away on June 14, 1985.

Ray held a number of positions during his 32 years at Hormel including senior operations research analyst, corporate manager of operations and marketing research. During his last 10 years he served as director of pork operations. He was involved in genetic research, production, procurement, processing, pork sales, marketing and new product development. He was passionate about producing great pork products. The Minnesota Pork Producers association presented him with the 2005 Distinguished Service Award in honor of his outstanding commitment to the pork industry.

While in Austin, Ray was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council. He was also a member of the United Way Board of Directors and spent 10 years as the chairman of the Hormel Employees Credit Union. Ray retired from Hormel at age 55 and returned to his family farm southwest of Madison.

After returning to Madison, Ray was involved in a number of activities. He consulted for Christensen Family Farms and built a wean to finish barn raising gilts for them. He was also involved in farming soybeans and corn. Ray was active in Garfield Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council and was involved in several church remodeling and building projects.

Ray loved the outdoors. He owned a property in Hurley, WI and enjoyed spending time there ATVing and snowmobiling with his family. He also loved fishing and hunting. In 2010 he purchased Pakuni Lodge, a hunting and fishing resort in NW Ontario, with his son Erik. They ran the lodge together for four years. Ray also enjoyed woodworking and mechanical projects and restored a 1928 Model A and 1926 Model T and was working to restore a 4020 John Deere tractor.

Ray was philanthropic and was particularly committed to donating to organizations that serve to feed and educate people, both in the US and around the world.

He was passionate about living each day to the fullest and approaching each situation with a positive attitude. He always seemed to wear a smile. Joys of his recent life include spending time with his family, his dogs and particularly with his grandson Maxwell.

Ray is survived by his daughter Sarah (Michael Reed) of Minneapolis; son Erik of Glenwood; and grandson Maxwell Ray Reed. He is also survived by his mother, Mavis Bjornson of Madison; his aunt Lois Bjornson of Madison; and his sisters: Marie (Bradley) Rude of Granite Falls and Linda (Kenneth) Turnquist of Carver; nephews, nieces and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by two infant sisters; his wife Susan; his father Parnel; his grandparents; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Thanks be to God for the life of Ray Bjornson.

Memorial services will be held at 11 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at Garfield Lutheran Church of rural Madison. The Rev. Bruce Bringle will officiate at the service. Special music will be provided by Jon Schmig – organist and Jon Schmig – piano solo. Active urn bearers will be Ron Enger, Jim Connor, Nate Ludvigson and Charlie Ludvigson. Interment will be in Garfield Lutheran Cemetery.

For more information or to leave condolences, visit: zahrbockfuneralhome.com.