Obituary of Raymond Steven Podgorski

Raymond Steven Podgorski, 88, died peacefully January 3, 2024, at Sholom Nursing Home, St. Paul, Minnesota.

He is survived by his children, Randolph (Jane) Podgorski, Cynthia (Jack) Kinney, Pamela (Larry) Furnas,  Steven (Lisa Minelli Schultz) Podgorski and sister Barbara (Terri) Fischer, eight grandchildren; Kristol, Annie, Brent,  Ross, Nicolas, Jay, Erin, Rachel and Zach and ten great grandchildren.  

Raymond was born July 30th, 1935 in St. Paul, Minnesota to John and Martha Podgorski. He attended Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1952, Raymond enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17,  having his mother sign the consent form.  

Ray married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Nierenhausen of St. Paul, in 1955. They were the proud parents of five children, Randy, Cindy, Pam, Timothy and Steve. 

Raymond made a career as an United States Marine for 20 years. 

Ray was a West-coast Marine, stationed at El Toro, Santa Ana, California for most of his enlistment.  His Marine Corps career took he and his family to many countries and U.S. states.  Ray served one tour of duty in Korea, remarkably at the age of 17 and later would bravely serve two tours of duty in Vietnam.  His rank at retirement with the United States Marine Corps was Gunnery Sargent, affectionately known as “Gunny.”  His ribbons and medals are numerous; notably, Rifle Marksman, Pistol Sharpshooter, Vietnam Gallantry Cross for Valorous Combat, Navy Commendation Combat with Valor, National Defense Service Medal United Nations Service Medal, Participation Counter Insurgency Operations, Korea and Vietnam ribbons, plus many others. His dress blues uniform was impressively decorated with many ribbons and medals, each with impressive and extraordinary meaning and nobody looked more striking, commanding and imposing than Gunnery Sargent Raymond in his dress blues. The Gunny’s love for the Marine Corps never waned. 

After Raymond’s retirement from the United States Marine Corps he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and worked in the printing industry, until his full retirement when he and Audrey moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they had the time of their lives! 

Ray was known for his sense of humor, love of cigars and big band music, woodworking, playing cards and his affection for the Minnesota Vikings, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.  

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha, his wife of 67 years, Audrey, his son, Timothy, daughter-in-law, Jane and three brothers, John, Richard, Ronald and sister Dorothy. 

A private military burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 10, 2024 at 11:30 AM.

To honor Raymond’s memory the family is hosting a Celebration of Life on May 10, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 PM at Quinny's/Pub Q (3140 Century Ave N. Mahtomedi, MN 55110). 

Randy, Cindy, Pam and Steve would like to thank the nurses and staff at Sholom Nursing Home and Hospice of the Midwest for their unwavering care and compassion.