Raymond Jon Vaughn, age 76, of Rice Lake, WI, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Barron- Mayo Hospital, WI. His slow physical decline was the result of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) a side effect of a bone marrow transplant. His sister, Nancy, was a perfect match donor and gave Ray five more years of life after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2020. He was such a fighter and had a strong will to live to enjoy time for as long as he could with his beloved family, especially his cherished grandchildren.

He was born on October 10, 1948 in LaCrosse, WI to Herbert and Leona (Fossum) Vaughn. Ray graduated from LaCrosse Central High School in 1966, started college at UW-LaCrosse then transferred to UW-Eau Claire where Gloria, the love of his life, was a student. He and Gloria Iverson married on November 1, 1969 in Viroqua, WI. He graduated in 1971 with a Business Administration degree.

Ray had a 40 year career in commercial banking starting in Eau Claire with his last 30 years employed at US Bank in Rice Lake. He was very dedicated to his customers and community. His greatest accomplishment in life was organizing and developing Kinship, a volunteer adult to child mentoring program in Rice Lake. He was a board member as well as a mentor. He initiated the planning and execution of the Red Cedar Bike Trail, was on the founding board of Habitat for Humanity, served as treasurer of the Rice Lake Kiwanis Club, served on the Police and Fire Commission, and the Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Ray was a sports fanatic. He enjoyed watching basketball and playing golf, cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers and Badgers, and was an avid walker. After a heart attack in 2004, walking became a necessity. His friend, Dwight, challenged him to a goal and his became walking around the world. He logged over 24,000 miles during the span of 9 years by averaging 8-12 miles per day. He met this goal two months before his blood cancer diagnosis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Gloria (his 'Rock'); his favorite son, Greg (Becky); his favorite daughter, Anna (Steve Hersman); 2 grandsons, Caden and Carter; a granddaughter, Greta; 2 sisters, Sharie (Jeff) Kaminski and Nancy (Don Dyer); many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Leona.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Friday, August 8, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Sue Eidahl officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church and at 10:00AM Friday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to River Doc Nature Conservancy, founded by his friend Dr. Rod Olson; and Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake.

Last Update: Jul 25, 2025 7:10 am CDT