Watch Johnnie's Service

Johnnie Raymond (Ray) Schow was born January 4, 1929, the youngest son of John and Amanda (Otterness) Schow at Twin Valley, Minnesota.

He was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and attended grade school and high school in Twin Valley.  Ray had three older sisters, Alice (Phillip) Hovde, June (Pete) Habben, Janice (Alvin) Smith and one brother, Arnold.

Ray served honorably in the Korean Conflict as well as in the 5 ^th Army Artillery Infantry in CO. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, 3 Bronze Service Stars and a UN Service Medal. He was a long time member of the Twin Valley American Legion.

Before and after his service he worked at Dell's Garage in Twin Valley. He later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was employed at Gresen Manufacturing as a machine operator. He retired from there and returned to Twin Valley where he resided until his move to the Viking Manor in Ulen,MN, in September of 2018.

Ray led a full and active life. In his younger years, he built his own boat, learned how to fly and owned an airplane, hunted big game, and loved snowmobiling in the winter.  Once retired, he enjoyed traveling and sightseeing. He spent many winters in Cherokee Village Park in Apache Junction, Arizona, where he enjoyed card playing and shooting pool with his many friends.

Johnnie Ray was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Alice, June & Janice, his brother Arnold, nephew Pete Habben Jr., and his wife Joyce Habben, and grand nephew Joshua Nordwall.

Ray is survived by three nieces, Phyllis Gunderson (Cambridge, MN), Judy (Robert) Schaapveld (Muscatine, Iowa), and Paula (Blaine) Nordwall (Bismarck, ND), and several grand nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside memorial services was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Twin Valley Memorial Garden Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN.