Raymond William Kemi

Raymond William Kemi, 89 of Esko passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020 in Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. He was born October 5, 1930 in Knife Falls Township to August and Hilja Kemi. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1950. Ray married Hazel Roman on February 1, 1958. Ray worked as a truck driver at the Coop Lumber Yard for 23 years and then as custodian at the Esko School for 16 years before retiring in 1997. Ray was very proud of his Finnish heritage.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Susan Jarvis; son-in-law, Wayne Jarvis; siblings, Carl, Esther, Leo, Eugene, Roy, Miriam, Evelyn, George, Lorraine, and Don.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hazel; children, Steve and Karen (Rick) Cisar; grandchildren, Holly (Kevin) Karjala, Brittany (Neal) Lindmeyer, Amber (Fred) Ash, Zach Cisar, Josh (Amanda) Cisar, Tyler Cisar, and Karina Cisar; great grandchildren, Mikko, William, Olivia, Brayden, Alexis, and Emma; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Kemi and Joyce Erdmann; brother-in-law, James Mayer; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Inter-Faith Care Center and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Ray.

A drive by visitation will take place from 10 – 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21st in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home parking lot. A private family service will be held. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Letters and cards of condolence may be sent to the family c/o Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet, MN 55720. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com