WANKER, Ray N.

Today's News-Herald< Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Thursday, February 11, 2010 In loving memory of the passing of Ray N. Wanker, resident of Lake Havasu City, who departed this life Feb. 4, 2010. Ray was born on the farm on Aug. 24, 1935 outside of Hill City, Kan. Several years later, the family moved into town where in 1953, he graduated from high school. On March 4, 1954, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Joyce Hillman. Ray was a Master Mason of the Millbrook Lodge. Ray and LaVonne made their home in Hill City, Kan., until 1969 when they moved their family to Westminster, Colo. Ray worked as a successful automobile wholesaler until his retirement in 2002, at which time he and his wife moved to Lake Havasu City. Ray always had time to give of himself to his family and friends. He was a beloved husband and father who is survived by his wife, LaVonne; one brother, Robert Wanker and his wife Clarene, of Hill City, Kan.; four children, Toni Wanker, of Arvada, Colo., Elaine Mariani, of Westminster, Colo., Bruce Wanker and his wife Kim, of Spokane, Wash., Mark Wanker and his wife Lucille, of Westminster, Colo.; seven grandchildren, William Mariani and his wife Danielle, Nichole Mariani, Devin and Shauna Wanker, Mark Wanker and his wife Audrey, Nickolaus Wanker, Megan Huxford and her husband Brian; and three great-grandchildren, Holden and Lelan Wanker and Savannah Mariani. Ray loved life and enjoyed traveling with the love of his life, whether it was going cross-country on a motorcycle, boating on the water with friends, or just spending time with his family doing various activities. In their retirement years, they were blessed with wonderful new friends that shared in Taco Mondays, riding ATVs, yard sales, pool parties, or working in the man cave with the boys and playing board games with the girls. Ray was preceded in death by his first son, Donald “Butch” Wanker; his father and mother, Forrest and Elberta Wanker, LaVerne and Minnie Hillman; his beloved sister, Betty Allen; and brother, LeRoy Wanker. Memorial services will be held at a future date.