Raymond J. Pisha, 89, of Hillsboro died Monday, April 21, 2014, at Sauk County Health Care Center in Reedsburg.
He was born July 11, 1924, to Joe and Mary (Hofricter) Pisha in Hillsboro. On Aug. 24, 1948, Raymond was united in marriage to Lillian Machovec at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro. She preceded him in death April 3, 2012. Together Ray and Lillian farmed in the town of Glendale until 1990. In 2010, they relocated to the Hillsboro area.
Raymond was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and the Hillsboro Co-op. He was a kind and generous neighbor and was always willing to lend a hand to help others. He provided transportation for his Amish neighbors and friends. In their spare time, Ray and Lillian enjoyed dancing, especially the polkas and waltzes. They also enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many places throughout the world, and they shared many great memories on local bus trips with their friends to the casinos. He also enjoyed playing cards and attending local auctions and rummage sales. Ray especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by two sons, Vincent (Helen) of Glenview, Ill., and Kevin (significant other Mary Ness) of Olympia, Wash.; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian; a granddaughter, Kari Pisha; three brothers, Joey, George and Frank Pisha; two sisters and their spouses, Dorothy (Richard) Vanourek and Margaret (Tom) McDonald; and two sisters-in-law and their spouses, Evelyn (William) Verbsky and Beverly (Keith) Schumann.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 301 Spring St., Kendall. Father David Bruener will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4-8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday. A parish rosary will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
