We honor the passing of a husband, father, and friend.

On Tuesday March 17th 2015, Gerhard Ray "Butch" Hylland passed away peacefully at home after many years of valiantly battling cancer. Ray was born November 30th 1944 to Raymond and Elna Hylland in Buffalo Center, Iowa. He graduated from high school in Lake Mills, IA in 1962 and eagerly awaited his 18th birthday to join the US Marine Corps to defend his country. While in the Marines he earned two meritorious awards, one for saving the life of a fellow marine who was drowning in the South China Sea and one for his outstanding efforts. Ray worked in electronics for 18 years, owning several Sound World locations for much of that time. His second career was as the president of Geotek, a composites manufacturing company, for 22 years. He earned his B.S. from Winona State in 1996. Ray was proud to have obtained his Private Pilot Certificate. Ray was active in both his church and community, serving as congregation president at Chatfield Lutheran Church, president of both the Rochester and Midwest District Exchange Clubs, a Mason, and rode for several years with the Rochester Shrine Cycle Patrol. An avid runner, Ray completed four marathons and several other races. He also enjoyed golfing, playing cards, caring for the woods around his property and bird watching. Ray is survived by his mother Elna, a loving wife Nancy (Lanswerk) Hylland of 40 years, four children; two with first wife Kathy Skjeveland: Raylene Hylland, and Kirk Hylland (Susan Lawrence), and with Nancy: Rebecca Peterson (Darren Peterson), and Daniel Hylland (Megan Osborne); two sisters Marlys (Verlyn) Ubben and Rosanne Klemm. He was also a proud Grandfather to: Alexander and Gabriel (of Kirk); Kyle and Ryan (of Rebecca); and Jacob and Nicholas (of Daniel). Ray is preceded in death by his father Raymond, and his brother David.

A Funeral Service for Ray will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11:00AM at Chatfield Lutheran Church (304 Fillmore St. SE, Chatfield, MN) with Pastor Mark Docken officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery Rochester.

Memorials are preferred to Shriners Hospitals for Children and Chatfield Lutheran Church.