Raymond A. Pintok

Eucharist Christian Burial for Raymond “Ray” Anthony Pintok, age 89 of Holdingfold, MN will be celebrated at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church with the Rev. Virgil Helmin officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at the church and again one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with full military honors. Raymond passed away on October 4, 2023 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. Caring for Raymond and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Ray was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Opole. He served as an altar boy from ages 6-14 and an usher in his adult years. His faith was an important aspect of his life. Ray, the 6th of 8 children was born on January 16, 1934 to the late Joseph and Constance (Warzecka) Pintok on the family farm in Opole. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School in his elementary years and graduated from Holdingfold High School in 1951. Ray had a passion for sports in high school. He participated in football and baseball, achieving All-Conference in football. Ray was an enthusiast of the Vikings and Twins. After high school, he worked on a shipping boat on the Great Lakes, At age 18 he enlisted in the Army. He trained at Fort Knox, KY and served his country in active combat from 1952-1954. Ray was a decorated Combat Gunner Tank Commander Veteran of the Korean War in the 7th Infantry Division. He was honored with 2 Bronze Stars, a National Defense Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, a Korean Cross Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged at Camp Carson, CO as Sergent E-5. Ray was a patriotic person who continued to support and participate in several Veterans groups and causes throughout his life. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans of Opole and American Legion Post 642 of Bowlus. Ray stated his proudest accomplishment was serving the military in the Korean War and assisting the South Koreans in gaining back their freedom. Ray married the love of his life, Bernadette Kulas on June 25, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Anna. They shared 67 years of marriage and were blessed with 3 daughters. Family was very important to Ray. Spending time with them was his greatest joy. Ray and Bernie first lived in St. Paul. Ray worked at Archer Daniels Grain Elevator while living there. In 1957, Ray and Bernie moved to Opole and settled on a farm where they resided for the rest of their years together. Ray had a natural desire for farming and was an avid farmer. His family especially admired his strong work ethic. Ray’s pastimes included watching Nightline News, listening to KASM Albany radio, polka music, along with old-time dancing, planting crops on the farm and riding around the farm on his golf cart watching his fields prosper. Ray will lovingly be remembered as a kind person with a generous heart who always had a smile to greet you, along with a wonderful gift to genuinely listen. Faith, family, country patriotism and hardworking ethic were his attributes. To carry on his memory are his beloved wife, Bernie; daughters, Cynthia Neis and Roberta (Mark) Anderson, Paula (David) Pintok-Mergen; grandsons, Ryan (Sarah) Mergen, Tyler (Deepa) Mergen and Andrew Mergen; 5 great-grandsons; sister, Marcella (Charles) Cichon; sister-in-law, MaDonna Nentl, and many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Donald Neis; siblings, Appolonia, Emil, Rita, Valeria, Angeline and Annette; brother-in-law, Daniel Kulas, nephews and friends. Our heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers who enhanced a better quality of life for Ray. May he rest in eternal peace.

Tributes

Raymond A. Pintok

January 16, 1934 - October 4, 2023