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Ray Carlsen, 86, resident of Naperville, Illinois died on June 8, 2025 at Johnson Health Care Center at Windsor Park, Carol Stream, IL.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Norman and Thelma (Berg) Carlsen on September 18, 1938. Ray was a lifelong newspaper man with his career starting at the Wheaton College Record, continuing while he was a Second Lieutenant in the Army as the assistant information officer and editor of The Fort Lee Traveler; followed by Ray and Blaze owning and operating multiple weekly newspapers in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Ray spent the last 23 years of his journalism career as Executive Director of Inland Press Association in suburban Chicago.
He was ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in 1967 with his last active role being at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church of America, Roselle, IL. In 1966, Ray joined Rotary Club International and maintained an active role throughout his career concluding at Park Ridge Rotary where he served as a president. He was elected to the Wheaton College Alumni Association in 1998 where he served two years as president.
Much of Ray’s free time was spent on the volleyball court where he and Blaze played competitively until he was 82 years old. He also enjoyed attending amateur sporting events, especially those featuring his grandchildren or Wheaton College.
Ray is survived by his wife of 59 years Freda “Blaze“ (Foland); his children: Joel (Lina) Carlsen of Naperville, IL; Kay Lynn (Tedd) Haas of Willcox, AZ; and Kristi (Christopher) McConnell of Harrisburg, PA; by his grandchildren: Greta (Marcus) Haas Schmidt; Haili (Isaiah) Mcconnell Cochran; Tyler McConnell; Anna Mae Haas; Lukas and David Carlsen, his brother Dennis (Judy) Carlsen of Lawrence, KS, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on June 18, 2025, at 10 AM at Christ Presbyterian Church Roselle (aka Spring Valley), 903 East Nerge Road, Roselle, IL followed by interment with military honors at Wheaton Cemetery, 1209 Warrenville Rd., Wheaton, IL.
Memorial gifts in Ray’s honor may be directed to Christ Presbyterian Church, 903 Nerge Road, Roselle, Illinois or to Equines for Freedom, Factoryville, PA.
Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.