Raymond Ludka RACINE – Raymond Ludka, 88, passed away at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center on Saturday May 2, 2015.Ray was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 28, 1927 to Joseph and Blanche (nee, Michalski) Ludka. Ray attended grade school at St. John Kanty's in Milwaukee; and Pulaski and Bay View High Schools. After high school he attended The University of Wisconsin Madison and UW Milwaukee, Marquette University and Carthage College obtaining certification credits for state vocational education. Ray served both in the US Coast Guard from 1944-1946 serving in the North Atlantic and Pacific Theaters and served in the US Army from 1949-1953 European Theater with the 2nd Army Calvary Reg. United States Constabulary on the International Border Patrol. Ray was also a graduate of USA NCO Academy Munich, Germany, USA Military Government School, and USA Provost Marshal School. On April 10, 1954 he was united in marriage to Shirley, together they resided in Caledonia for the past 61 years. She preceded him in death on January 6, 2012. Ray was employed by Racine Technical College and Gateway Technical College. He participated in many seminars pertaining to safe food handling and food services. Ray enjoyed formulating curriculum for presentations along with making some video compositions for student participation. He served in many supervisory capacities related to food services; Milwaukee County institutions and departments, West Allis Memorial Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Lincoln Lutheran and was a federal certified instructor in food services, emergency civil defense and emergency shelter management. After 23 years of service he retired in 1987. An active member of the community Ray served as a member of the Caledonia Planning Commission as well as the Fire and Police Commission. He also served on the Literacy council of Racine with the Racine jail chaplain's educational programs for 10 years.Ray was a supporter of the military, DVA, VFW, American Legion, Purple Heart, Priests of the Sacred Heart, Paulist Fathers, Cancer Society, Heart Association, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Ray enjoyed debating politics and historical issues both verbally and in writing. Rays trip in 1972 to the west coast, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia was most memorable. He loved the Las Vegas area and other casino visits in Wisconsin. Ray was very proud to have a great-great granddaughter serving in the US Marine Corps and a Niece married to a career Air Force NCO.He always measured those around him by their sincere methods of ethics practiced in their daily traits. I.E.; honesty, truthfulness, hard work, passion for others and making them feel like an equal in their evaluations no matter what they aspired to do.Survivors include his daughters; Chris (Ken) Gable and Kathy Sauer, a son; Raymond J. (Molly) Ludka. Sisters; Florence (Tony) Lontkowski and Geraldine Ankney, sister-in-law, Jean Ann (Don) Sutfin, along with nieces, nephews, grand and great-grandchildren other family members and a host of friends and acquaintances. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Bonnie Jean Carson, Linda Holmes and Connie Colton; and his brother, Ronald Ludka.Cremation will take place followed by a private inurnment next to his wife in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Veterans Administration or the American heart Association.The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Zablocki V.A. Hospital for all of their compassionate care and for the dignity and respect they provided to Ray.