Evangeline Raven

VISITATION

4-7 p.m., Thursday, October 23 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Friday, October 24 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE

10:30 a.m., Friday, October 24 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

Evangeline "Vangie" Ethel (Peterson) Raven, 93, formerly of Chippewa Falls, died Monday, October 20, 2014, at Grace Edgewood in Altoona, where she had resided for the last nine years. St. Joseph's Hospice assisted with her care.

Vangie was born May 19, 1921, in the town of Wheaton, to Christian and Laura (Christianson) Peterson. She was their sixth child, the baby of the family. She grew up in Albertville and was active in 4H. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1939. After high school graduation, she moved to Chippewa Falls where she was employed at Farmer's Home Administration.

She married Wesley "Wes" Raven at Central Lutheran Church on May 16, 1946. At Central, she taught Sunday school and participated in Circle and Committee work.

After their marriage, Vangie worked for Production Credit and Rutledge Charities. Then she became the Rutledge Home Assistant Administrator from 1953 until retiring in 1985.

Vangie was an enthusiastic rose grower whose home became the gathering place for holidays and backyard fish fries. She always cheered for "her" Packers and Badgers; no one dared call her during a Packer game! She cherished her family and extended kind words to everyone she met.

She is survived by her daughter Lauri (Paul) Bickel of Eau Claire; son Mike (Jodean) Raven of Maple Grove, MN; her grandchildren Jon (Michelle) Raven, Mary Raven, Katie (Jim) Swarthwood and Anne (John) Browne; and her great granddaughters Lauren, Alexandria, Emmalee and Kylie. The Grace Edgewood staff also became cherished members of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wes; and her siblings Wilemina, Elinor, Ford, Lester and Clarence.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 24 at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4 -7 p.m., Thursday, October 23 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorials to Central Lutheran Church (28 East Columbia, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729) or to a charity of the donor's choice.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Evangeline E. "Vangie" Raven, 93, was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 24 at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiated and music was provided by Christine Hitt. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls. Casket bearers were Jon, Mary, Jodean and Mike Raven, Paul Bickel and Anne Browne.