Ray Kostner, 88, of Rochester, MN died Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at his home. Ray was born February 15, 1930 in Medford, WI to Jerome and Alice (Strachota) Kostner.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, he joined the U.S. Army. On April 2, 1960 he married Terecita Romero, having met her on an airplane to France where they were both stationed. While in the military, they traveled the world while raising a family. He also earned a master's degree at George Washington University. Ray was especially proud of his time stationed in Heidelberg, Germany working with NATO. He retired as a LTC in 1977. Ray loved to tell stories, pheasant hunt, and was an avid Packer's Fan. Terecita died in 1996.

Ray married Mary Sowden on May 21, 2005. He was a member of American Legion Post #119 and the VFW. He was also a member of the Rochester Serra Club for vocations and active in his Parish work as well. He most loved volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Marys Hospital, which he did for over 25 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; his three daughters, Theresa (Mark) Wilson of Rochester, MN, Reneé Kostner Osberg (Rick Osberg) of Lakeville, MN, and Mary Steinmetz (Tom) of Ham Lake, MN; eight grandchildren, Nathan Wilson, Natalie (Dan) Laska, Jake Osberg, Martin Osberg, Katie Goddard, Megan Steinmetz, Jake Steinmetz and Annabelle Steinmetz; sisters, Joyce Ackeret, Rita (Nick) Hirsch, Mary (Tom) Cannon and Anne (Gerry) Leischer; and brother,  Peter (Esther) Kostner.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Terecita; his granddaughter, Kari Goddard; brother, Donald Kostner; and sister, Joan Sackmann.

Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or Seasons Hospice.

The funeral Mass for Ray will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at Pax Christi Catholic Church with Rev. Will Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.