Raymond K. Hatleli, 83, of Eau Claire, died Saturday, January 25, 2014, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI, under the care of Mayo Clinic Home, Health and Hospice. Ray was born in Chatfield, MN on December 19, 1930, the son of Oscar and Myrtle (Farrington) Hatleli. Ray was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed camping, fishing, deer hunting, and traveling to NASCAR races. At the age of 75, and again at the age of 80, Ray was featured in the Leader-Telegram for semi-fast pitch softball. Ray had many jobs in his young years, before eventually being hired by Phoenix Steel. He was approached to try out a new device that enabled the truck driver to control the rear axles from the driver's seat. Ray agreed and made the test run with ease, becoming Phoenix's lead driver until his retirement in 1993. Ray is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for "longest steel bridge beam hauled over the road". Ray was never happier than when he was behind the wheel of his #20 semi, traveling down the road, whistling and singing along with the radio. Ray had served in the National Guard. Raymond is survived by his nine children, Rhonda (William) Iversen, Jocelyn Hatleli (Lenny), Raymond "Randy" Hatleli, Kenneth "Kelly" (DiAnna) Hatleli, Timothy Hatleli, Anthony (Cathy) Hatleli, Daniel Hatleli, Blane Hatleli, and Kendra Hatleli; seventeen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Danita Roberts; son, Raymond "Sketter" Hatleli, two sisters; and a brother. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave. in Eau Claire with Pastor Michael Wollman officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in the Village of Lake Hallie. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 53 at the cemetery on Saturday. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is serving his family.

Service Information

Cemetery

Prairie View Cemetery 40th Ave. and Hwy 124 Village of Lake Hallie WI 54729

Visitation

Saturday, February 1 2014 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Memorial Service

Saturday, February 1 2014 1:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703