Raymond L. Mehl

Raymond L. Mehl (1930 – 2025)

Raymond Leroy Mehl, 94, passed away on March 20, 2025, at Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Woods, CA.

Ray was born in Kanawha, Iowa on April 13, 1930 to Milford Mehl and Gladys Mehl. Grandparents on both sides immigrated to America from Norway; the Rosendal region and Sandnes region. He grew up in Belmond, Iowa and graduated from Belmond High School. He graduated from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA (1951).

After his marriage in 1953 to Carol (Erickson) Mehl, he continued his education at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (1953), and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN (1957). They were blessed with five children.

He served a two-point parish in southern Wisconsin-Barneveld and West Blue Mounds Lutheran Churches near Madison, WI (1957-1960). He was called to serve a mission church, Calvary Lutheran in Brookfield, WI. (1960-1970). From 1970 to 1980, he served as Director of Alumni Affairs and later as Director of Development at Waldorf College, Forest City, IA. From 1981-1996, he served as Director of Development for the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society until his retirement in 1996. He spent two years serving as Visitation Pastor at Shepard of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN.

Ray and Carol divorced in 1978 and remained friends. He later married LaMae (Jacobus) Mehl.

During his years in ministry, he served on various boards and committees: Secretary/Treasurer of the Milwaukee Ministerium; member of the Southern Wisconsin District Counsel of the ALC; and member of the National Board of the Good Samaritan Society. Ray felt especially blessed to be a part of so many fine ministries throughout the years.

He was proceeded in death by his second wife, LaMae (Jacobus) Mehl, his son Stephen Mehl, his stepson, Jefferey Jacobus, his sister Arlene Mehl and husband Thomas Greenwood, his sister Lois and husband Frank Patterson, his brother Marlyn Mehl and wife Geneva, his brother Eugene Mehl and wife DeEtta.

He is survived by his older sister, Eunice (Banning) Mehl (97), his first wife Carol Mehl (93), four children Kevin Mehl, Dr. David Mehl and his wife Kathy, Kristin (Kitty) Mehl and her wife Linda Hermann, Jeffrey Mehl and his wife Sally, two stepchildren Kris McLaughlin (Peter), Mary Jacobus (Julio Huato), ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, family, history, genealogy, telling stories, telling jokes, painting, photography, and Scandinavian wood carving. Wherever he went, he brought a presence of joy and comfort, and always welcomed anyone into his home and his heart.

He was grateful for his entire family and friends far and wide from Norway, Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, California and beyond.

He was grateful for the faithful and loving ministry of Pastor Bill Snyder, and his many friends in the congregation and community at Mission Luteran Church. He was a member of Mission Lutheran Church in Laguna Niguel, CA where he lived during the last years of his life.

Services will be held on Sat May 24, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Mission Lutheran Church in Laguna Niguel. There will be a live stream on the link below starting at 12:50 pm on the 24th.

In lieu of flowers, if could donate to Mission Lutheran Church.

Live Stream Link: https://youtube.com/live/SWPbn1nXeko?feature=share

Tithe Giving: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=726477f0-21d1-4318-a348-dd76943e4164