Raymond Joseph (Skeeter, Ray, Big Ray, PaPa) Klaas, 69, died peacefully Sunday, March 13, 2016 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Rhinelander, WI on Nov. 13, 1946 to Joseph Ray and Elizabeth (Frisque) Klaas. Ray graduated as a Hodag at Rhinelander High School. He spent his 19 th and 20 th years (1966-1968) driving semis for the U.S. Army in Germany and England during the Vietnam Conflict. On May 25, 1968, Ray married Barbara Ullmer at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howard. He was employed at Fort Howard Paper Co. /Georgia Pacific for more than 37 years. Ray was a volunteer Howard-Suamico Fire Fighter. After having four sons, he was involved with St. John's School, Playground, Haunted House and the Cub Scouts.

He enjoyed coaching soccer with Larry Z. for 11 years. They started building goal posts, painting fields and ended with sons on the first soccer team for Bay Port High School. Ray loved his grandkids, family and friends. He enjoyed the Packers, Badgers, Nascar, reading and playing solitaire. Ray could build or fix anything and would do it for anyone. He had 10 years of retirement and enjoyed traveling the back roads of the USA in the spring and fall.

Ray will be greatly missed by his wife, Barbara; his 4 sons, Jon (Trudy), Green Bay; Jason (Joanne), Springfield, IL; Jeremy (Jenny), Green Bay; Jeff (Kelly), Stevens Point; and their children, Jackie and friend Tyler, Anna, Nathan, Shane, Alynn, Jack, Sophia, Eddie, Katie, Emily, Ty; sisters, Carol (Bill) Miller, Rhinelander; Candy (Tom) Roberts, Chilton; Linda Elm, Fond du Lac; sister-in-law, Michele Klaas, Phoenix, AZ; brothers and sisters-in-law, Russ (Sue) Ullmer, Appleton; Mary (John) Gering, Green Bay; Carol (Jon) Peotter, Waupaca; Rodney (Barb) Ullmer, Green Bay; Don Ullmer, Green Bay; Connie (Rick) Kellogg, Green Bay. He was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews and "sons and daughters" he tucked under his wing.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph John Klaas; father-in-law, Gerald Ullmer.

Family and friends may call at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Howard-Suamico location, 1145 Cardinal Lane, on Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2016 from 4 until 8:00 p.m. Prayer service 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation continues on Thursday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2561 Glendale Ave., from 10 until 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. at the church with the Rev. John Bergstadt officiating. Military Honors to follow. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com

The Klaas family would like to thank Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice and a special thank you to Dr. Khan and Dr. Ough, nursing staff, Amanda #1, Tracy, Lucas, Luis.