Raymond "Ray Walters" Frankenberg, age 75, of Rhinelander, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at his home following a long illness. He was born on May 11, 1930, in Cameron, WI to Edward and Alvina (Bayer) Frankenberg. Ray attended school in Cameron and graduated in 1948. He then graduated from Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN in 1953. Ray married the former Norma Hughes on September 25, 1953, at the First Methodist Church in Barron, WI. They moved to Rhinelander in the fall of that year where Ray began his 25 years of broadcasting with WOBT radio. "Ray Walters", as he was known to his listeners, was a household name for programs such as "Help Your Neighbor" and the "Country Music Show" and was instrumental in getting the WRHN - FM station up and running. Due to his poor health and long time battle with Neurofibromotosis, he retired in 1976. His hobby, "Ham" amateur radio, was a major part of his life since his teenage years and kept him connected with the world despite his disabilities. Ray's other hobbies were breaking new snowmobile trails or enjoying a short ride around Boom Lake before checking in for work at WOBT. He spent weekends leading his friends and family on snowmobiles down the trails or on an afternoon cookout. When spring came, you would find him making the rounds on his motorbike; just cruising the back roads. Ray is survived by his wife Norma, of Rhinelander; daughter, Susan (John) Mallett of Paddock Lake, WI; two sons, Bryan (Patti Dart) of Sugar Camp and Jason (Karrie Wilsey) of Lake Mills, WI; three granddaughters, Jessica Mallett and McKenzie and Madisen Frankenberg; two grandsons, Michael (Joan) Carley and Kyle Mallett; a brother, Edward (Margaret) Frankenberg of Cameron, WI; a sister-in-law, Patricia (Richard) Fladten of Minong, WI; and two brothers-in-law, Raymond (Gloria) Hughes of Chippewa Falls, WI and Wayne (Mary) Hughes of Gordon, WI. He further is survived by an aunt and uncle and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Kevin Fladten. Funeral services for Ray will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at the Carlson Funeral Home with Chaplain John Uhlarik officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Northland Memorial Park.
|
