Raymond P. Kimmen

Raymond Paul Kimmen, 88, of Hastings, MN died Friday, November 26th, 2021. He was born March 28, 1933 to Lawrence and Hilda (Schumacher) Kimmen at the home farm in Earling, Iowa. He attended country grade school and later St. Paul high school in Defiance, Iowa. After graduation, he worked with his uncle Melvin on several farm jobs and drove taxis. Ray later joined the army and was stationed in Germany in the artillery, when he came home he went to telegraphy school and started working for the railroad. He got a job in Minnesota for the Milwaukee Railroad where he worked for 33 years. He also worked with Langenfeld construction. He met Ellen Eckloff and they were married at St. Boniface Church in Hastings, MN and they raised five sons. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary on October 10, 2021. Ray was active in several sports. He played softball and volleyball which the teams won championships. He won several cribbage championships and also played in many euchre tournaments and enjoyed golf. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gregory; sister, Phyllis Grote; brother, Kenneth Kimmen and daughter-in-law, Conee. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; sons, Ronald (Vicky) of Red Wing, Richard of Berthoud, CO, Steven of Nerstrand, Gerald (Julie) of Prescott, WI; 9 grandchildren, Tony (Jennifer) Kimmen, Missy Kimmen, Becky Schneider (Eric), Heidi Verner, Jennifer (Brian) Cook, Kimberly (Nate) Odman, Jessie (Bryan) Witschen, Al Kimmen, Dillon Kimmen; and numerous great-grandchildren and great- great grandchildren; sisters, Ramona Case, Bonita Jacobs; brothers, Michael Kimmen, Alvin Kimmen , Larry Kimmen; and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Kimmen, Al Kimmen, Dillon Kimmen, Caleb Odman and Jackson Odman. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St. in Hastings. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Visit HastingsMnFuneral.com to sign the online Tribute page and view the memorial video.