The funeral service for Raymond Hlavka, 95, of Marshall, formerly of Tracy, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, with continued fellowship following the service. A private family interment will take place at the Tracy Cemetery in Tracy, MN.
Raymond Richard Hlavka was born December 15, 1930 on the family farm near Silver Lake to Anthony and Emily (Makovsky) Hlavka. He graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1949.
Ray entered the Air Force in 1949, and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. He went Japan in 1952, and later to Palm Beach, FL Air Force Base where he worked as a Reserve Office Coordinator. After six years in the Air Force he was honorably discharged in 1955. He then attended accounting courses and began working at Van Dusen Aircraft in Minneapolis, MN.
Ray and Carol were married June 30, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN. In 1969, they moved to Kasson, MN where they purchased the Ben Franklin store. They had two children, Mark and Nancy, while living in Kasson. In 1976, they brought the variety store in Tracy, MN and a Ben Franklin franchise.
Ray and Carol sold the building in Tracy in 1993 and retired, allowing them to enjoy more time with family and to travel. Ray enjoyed helping Carol with her genealogy hobby and delivering meals on wheels. Carol passed away in 2020, and Ray continued to live in Tracy at their home until moving to Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall, MN in 2021. He loved participating in various activities at Heritage Pointe, including the Dragonfly Team competitions (which they frequently won). He also loved his Sunday card games with family and visits from his “grand dog” Sienna.
Ray peacefully passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 surrounded by family. He is survived by his children Mark Hlavka of Duluth, MN, Nancy (David) Knutson of Marshall, MN, grandchildren, Caila, Noah, Madison, Braeden, Mackenzie, great grandchildren, brother-in-law Curt (Candy) Robertson, and many family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol, brothers Leslie, Harvey and Edwin, and sister Ruth.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful friends at Heritage Pointe for their compassion and companionship. Ray truly loved his time there.
