Kabliska, Ray 1920 - 2005
KABLISKA, KOMAREK, ELLINGSON
Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 1/27/2014 at 11:29:21
Ray Kabliska, 84, died Good Friday, March 25, 2005 at the Regional Health Services Hospital Hospice Unit, where he had been since Monday, March 21.
Funeral services were Tuesday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at the Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, both in Cresco. Rev. Stanley Hayek officiated with Pastor Lewis Flanigan speaking.
Lector was Tamara Schafer. The pall was placed by family. Gifts were carried by Matt, Deanna and family.
Organist was Mary Jo Tremmel and soloists were Joe Wacha, Darin Easler and Jessica Bucheit.
Honorary Casketbearers were Phil Birkelo, Paul Morgan, Clarence Steffen, Charles DeWalle and Byron Knox.
Casketbearers were Bob Moudry, Chad Stone, Larry Grimstad, Nathan Thorson, George Bucheit and Gene Koschmeder.
Military rites were conducted by V.F.W. Post #4561 and American Legion Post #135.
Raphael Raymond Kabliska was born July 21, 1920 in Cresco, the only child of Frank Kobliska and Mamie Grace Komarek.
He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at the Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco.
He attended elementary and high school at the Assumption School in Cresco, where he graduated in 1938.
He attended junior college for two years, attended a business-commercial school for a year and then attended a state normal school for a year, studying law enforcement.
June 25, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy at Los Angeles, Calif., and served as an aviation metalsmith with the Fleet Air Wing Six Headquarters Squadron. He was discharged June 28, 1945 at Whidby Island, Wash.
Ray Kabliska enlisted in the Naval Reserves until 1949.
May 23, 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as M/Sgt. in Korea until his discharge on Feb. 4, 1952.
He enlisted in the Army Reserves and served his nation faithfully until he retired as a CW4 July 21, 1980.
Ray Kabliska had moved to California in 1939 and after his active duty in the armed forces, served on the police department of Monrovia, Calif., where he retired as a police sergeant for the city of Monrovia.
He also worked as a security officer for the Southern California Racing Commission.
He retired and moved to Cresco in 1971.
After coming to Cresco, he worked for the State of Iowa as an investigator for the Department of Transportation.
He also worked part-time for the Conway Funeral Home and sold cars for Stone Ford in New Hampton.
October 21, 1961, he was united in marriage to Vernelle Ellingson at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. They were the proud parents of one son, Matthew John, who was born June 28, 1966 in Duarte, Calif. They felt that it was better to raise their family in a small town, so they moved back to Iowa.
Ray Kabliska continued to stay active even after he retired. He belonged to many organizations and was the leader of most of them at one time or another.
He was a member of the community theatre and performed in many of the plays. He was a charter member of the V.F.W. Post #4561 in 1945 and was the first post commander. He later filled that position again when he returned to Cresco.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #135 in Cresco, the BPOE Elks Lodge #443 in Decorah, a member of the Retired Public Employees Association of California, Warrant Officers Association, Council #1571 of the Knights of Columbus, Davis Assembly of the 4th Degree of Knights of Columbus, Howard County Peace Officers Association, was a longtime member of the Veteran’s Affairs Commission in Howard County.
He was active in his church, which he enjoyed very much. He chaired the turkey dinners, distributed communion at church and to the sick and shuts-ins every week.
He also enjoyed playing Santa for local and children and for nursing home events.
Survivors include his wife, Vernelle; one son, Matthew and his wife, Deanna of Cresco; two grandchildren and a step-granddaughter.
Ray Kabliska was preceded in death by his parents.
Decorah Journal, March 31, 2005
Oak Lawn Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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