Raymond Keith Sellers, 86, passed away on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Austin.

He was born in Austin on Jan. 15, 1927, to Frank and Myrtle (Lord) Sellers. Ray graduated from Dows High School in Iowa in 1944. He was drafted into the Army and served overseas in Europe at the end of World War II. Ray returned to Austin and was employed for a short time with the railroad, before beginning a 42-year career as an employee with Hormel Foods. He retired in June of 1990.

Ray was married to Helen Myers in Plainview, Minn. on Aug. 28, 1949. They had four sons. Following Helen’s untimely death in 1981, Ray carried on with some difficulty before being introduced to Karen Kurtzbein. They were later married in Austin on May 28, 1983, and lived together happily until Karen’s passing in 2011.

Ray enjoyed water-skiing, camping, fishing and hunting. He was a long time member at Cedar River Country Club. His greatest enjoyment came from bowling. Over his career in the sport he bowled a 300 and 299 game, he was inducted into the Austin Bowling Hall of Fame in 1981 and he competed in the ABC National Tournament for 50 years.

Ray was also a very active member of the American Legion Post 91 in Austin. He served as District Vice ­Commander, Post Commander and in the Honor Guard among some of his many duties there. He enjoyed volunteering and helping out at the Legion in whatever capacity that he could. Ray was also a long-time member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Austin — he loved to sing in the choir.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helen, his second wife, Karen, his brothers, Merlyn and Lyle, and his sisters Clarissa and Elsie.

He is survived by his four sons, Darwin (Karla) of Austin, Keith (Jo Ellen) of St. Paul, Timothy (Nanette) of Austin and Kevin (Kathy) of Austin; two stepdaughters, Kathy (Bill) Barrett of Birmingham, Alabama and Sara (Perry) Hudson of Austin, Texas; two sisters-in-Iaw, Dolores and Ethel Mae Sellers, both of Austin, Minn.; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lawson of Plainview; and brothers-in-law, Roger (Shirley) Myers of Winona and Raymond (Marilyn) Myers of Alexandria. Ray is also survived by ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation for Ray on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin and at Holy Cross Lutheran Church for one hour before the service on Thursday morning. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Austin with the Reverend Brian Krueger officiating. Interment will take place at Enterprise Cemetery with Austin Post 91, American Legion in charge of military rites. Casket bearers include Brianna Phillips, Matthew Sellers, Krystal Carlson, Mason Sellers, Ashley Sellers, Kayla Sellers, Darrin Sellers, Mitchell Sellers, Frazier Hudson, Zane Hudson and Kyle Sellers.

The family of Raymond Sellers would be remiss if it did not offer a tremendous gift of gratitude and thanks for all the care, concern and effort given to Ray by Dr. Grabowsky, nurses and staff in the ICU at Mayo Clinic Health System of Austin in assisting him in his final days and hours. Ray was known to many, he was a friend to many, he was loved by many and he will be missed by many. Love you, Dad!