Full Obituary

     RAYMOND M. TECLAW, age 90, of Thorp, WI, died on Monday, February 5, 2024 at home surrounded by the support and love of his children as he was welcomed into heaven.
     Raymond Michael Teclaw, “Ray”, was born on March 29, 1933, to Mike and Verna (Stroinski) Teclaw, the ninth of twelve children, four sisters and seven brothers.   Ray attended Sterling School and graduated from Thorp High School in 1951. After graduation Ray worked for Gangler Dairy with home milk delivery and Plautz Brothers hauling gravel.  Ray married Valeria (Val) Klick on June 2, 1952 then moved to Minneapolis, together raising five children.
     Ray was employed by Dayton Rogers Manufacturing beginning in June 1952.  In 1970 Ray was elected President of AFL-CIO, Amalgamated Local 1140 and served until 1982.  In 1982 he was appointed as the National Representative of International Union of Electrical Workers, District 11 responsible for Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana serving until his retirement in 1991.
     While living in Minneapolis, Ray was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, Sons of the American Legion, and Moose Lodge.
     In 1991 Ray and Val retired and in 1992 returned to Thorp to plan and build a shared family condominium complex they designed and built with two of Ray’s sisters, one brother, one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law, a gathering place for many family special occasions and celebrations.
     As a resident of Thorp, Ray served the community in many ways including:  Dairy Days committee member, Polish Heritage Days planning committee, Highway 29 Partnership committee, City Council member from 2003 to 2012, member of the Sons of the American Legion, member of the Clark County Economic Development Corporation, board member for Thorp Fire and Ambulance Department from 2003 to 2014, member of the Moose Lodge, member of Thorp Historical Society, President of the Thorp Area Senior Citizens Association, and fall festival conception and inaugural committee member of Thorp Pumpkin Fest.
     Ray is survived and will be dearly missed by his heartbroken children and their families: Judy Dahl, Apple Valley, MN; Michael (special friend Katherine) Teclaw, Thorp, WI;  Roger (Dottie) Teclaw, Minneapolis, MN; Karen Teclaw, Minneapolis, MN; and Robert (Peggy) Teclaw, Arlington, Texas; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; brothers Richard and David, sisters-in-law: Carol Teclaw, Nancy Teclaw and Pearl Lake; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Florence, Leon, Angeline, Marcie, Malen, Norbert, Alois, Lillian, Marion, and his beloved wife, Val.
     The family is ever-grateful for the compassionate care by his primary medical provider, Peter Gintner, PA-C; Dr. Katie Spangler, Dr. Sunday Olatunji, Dr. Jon Potter, Dr. Logan Kiekhafer, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospice and Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice.
     Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp, WI with visitation at the church from 9am until time of Mass.  Interment will be at New St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery at a later date.