Raymond L. Deml

Raymond L. Deml, 91, of Medford died Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Park Manor in Park Falls.

He was born October 5, 1933 in Medford to John and Mary (Ertl) Deml.  He graduated from Medford High School in 1952.

On October 8, 1955, Ray married Janet Simmons at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford.  They resided in Medford and raised five daughters.  Ray and Janet ran a farm just west of town where they had dairy cows, then beef, then crop farmed.  Ray also worked outside the farm delivering gas and fuel oil for several years, then did HVAC work for Medford Coop until his retirement. 

Ray loved being outdoors, especially if he was hunting or fishing.  He also enjoyed reading. Ray’s greatest joy was his farmland and even before his retirement, he started growing pumpkins.  This hobby grew into a 20 year full time job each autumn season, hiring folks to harvest and haul thousands of pumpkins to area stores and schools, some 60 miles from Medford.  Many students received Ray’s pumpkins each year from kindergarten to graduation!

He was a member of the Medford Knights of Columbus, and a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. 

He is survived by five daughters Cheryl (Richard) Heier of Park Falls, Debra (Charles) Croston of Milford, PA, Barbara Deml (Russell Emmerich) of Medford, Nancy (Timothy) Risch of Park Falls and Valerie (Jon-Paul) Ruelle of Campbellsport; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Deml, Mary Deml, both of Medford, Theoma Deml of Washington, PA, and Jeanne Johnson of Marana, AZ;  brothers-in-law, Charles (Jeannie) Simmons of Franklin and Robert Molitor of Medford; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet on June 6, 2024; brothers, Andrew "Andy", Joseph "Joe", Jerome "Romie", and Henry “Hank” (Patricia) Deml; sisters, Madlin (Marcel) Kulig, Mary (Floyd) Emmerich Molitor, and Agnes (William) Robida.

A memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2025 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials may go to Holy Rosary Catholic Church & School.

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