VERONA- Raymond J. “Ray” Ozols, age 46, was called to be with God far too soon, with his wife at his side, after complications from a chronic illness at St. Marys Hospital on August 23, 2017. He was born on June 6, 1971, the son of Andreijs and Vaira (Mednis) Ozols.

Ray was born in Rhinelander, WI. He grew up in Eagle River where he attended Northland Pines School system graduating in 1989. He attended college, first at Michigan Tech then transferring to UW-Eau Claire graduating with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems. He moved to Madison, WI where he worked for the Department of Revenue as an IS Systems Development Services Specialist for 22 years. In 1999 he first met his future wife, Erika Loos. They lost contact for years due to unfortunate circumstances regarding lost e-mails (ironic for an IS specialist) but reconnected with the help of mutual friends. His humor and his huge heart convinced Erika what a wonderful man he was. They married in 2009 in Egg Harbor, WI. They enjoyed traveling together to French Polynesia, Germany, Florida and Las Vegas. They were blessed with two beautiful boys, Jace in 2012 and Kyle in 2013. Ray loved his boys more than anything in this world. He loved to take them "park hopping" around Verona and Fitchburg, go to every parade possible, make huge barricades of pillows and blankets in the living room that they could jump and hide in, make up fun bedtime stories, and try to make them laugh when they were sad. Ray and Erika built their dream home together in Verona, WI.

Ray loved his mother unquestionably, once driving to Florida unannounced surprising her as a birthday present. When she fell ill, he went there without hesitation. Growing up he was close to his sister and later enjoyed visiting her and his nieces in Chicago. He was very close to his grandparents (Julius and Aina Mednis) and cherished many memories of fishing with them as a boy. He also had a special relationship with his great aunt Olga. Family was very important to him.

Ray developed a love for bowling from an early age, participating in Saturday morning youth leagues and state tournaments. Bowling became a lifelong passion, from college team competition to regional and national tournaments, as well as top level weekly leagues. He was well known in the Madison bowling community, especially for his skill and fun loving personality.

Ray was a good friend to countless people in many circles, from bowlers, to college friends, to work friends, and long term friends, reaching back prior to kindergarten. One thing everyone knew about Ray was his incredible sense of humor. He always made others laugh and feel at ease, even from a young age. Ray had a gift for enjoying the moment with the people around him. He could walk in a room and make friends with anyone. He was a master of telling jokes. At the same time he possessed a natural ability for deep conversation and offering advice and opinions with passion and conviction.

Ray is survived by his loving wife Erika (Loos), sons Jace and Kyle, mother Vaira (Mednis) Ozols, sister Sandra (Ozols) Bluthardt, nieces Brittany and Lauren Bluthardt, mother-in-law Ingrid Loos, father-in-law Armond Loos, sister-in-law Claudia (Loos) Witte, brother-in-law Doug Witte, nieces Jaclyn and Brianna Witte, nephew Derek Witte, brother-in-law Kevin Loos, sister-in-law Cheryl (Mosher) Loos, niece Wendy (Loos) Novak, and nephews Jamus and Ryan Loos. He was preceded in death by his father Andreijs Ozols, his grandparents Zelma Ozols, and Julius and Aina Mednis, and his great aunt Olga Berzins.

In lieu of flowers, any memorials will be put towards the children's college fund.

Erika wants to give a special thanks to the doctors and nurses at St. Mary's. Amanda, Katie and Wendy took exceptional good care of Ray while he was in the MICU. Erika also wants to thank all the people who have gone above and beyond, offering their help with the children, meals, lawn care, etc. Your generosity will never be forgotten!

I wish I could see you one more time
Come walking through the door
But I know that is impossible
I will hear your voice no more.

I know you can feel my tears
And you don’t want me to cry
Yet my heart is broken because I can’t understand why
someone so precious had to die.

I pray that God will give me strength
And somehow get me through
As I struggle with this heartache
That came when I lost you.

Love, Erika, Jace and Kyle

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2017, at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7291 County Road Pd, Verona. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. A reception at Ten Pin Alley, 6285 Nesbitt Rd, Madison, will follow the service.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Dr.

608-845-6625

Raymond Ozols

June 06, 1971 - August 23, 2017

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