Raymond J. Arland

Raymond J. Arland, 1933-2025

Ray Arland, 92, died Oct. 3 at home in Bloomington, Minnesota in his favorite space, the “Tree House,” with members of his family at his side. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11AM, Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Church of St. Peter (1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy., Mendota Heights). Visitation will be 5-7 p.m.  Monday, Oct. 13, at O’Halloran and Murphy Funeral Home (575 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul), and 1 hour prior to start of Mass at the church on Tuesday. Inurnment will take place at Church of St. Peter Historic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Church of St. Peter or Sharing & Caring Hands, Minneapolis.

Ray Arland raised the bar on family, faith, fortitude and fun. He planned to be a teacher after graduating from college on the GI Bill but took the fork in the road that led to a successful career in the insurance industry. All the while, he was a teacher. He taught us – his family, relatives, colleagues and friends – to live with integrity, diplomacy and respect for others.

Ray began life on May 1, 1933, the second-youngest of nine children of Ray and Irene Arland in St. Paul, Minnesota. A tragic accident led to his dad’s death when the younger Ray (not a junior!) was just 4 years old. The siblings, intent on staying together with their mom, towed the line to solidify their connection as a family.

He served in the Army in Europe after high school, at the end of the Korean War, where his “active duty” included time managing the gym for fellow GIs! After the service, he enrolled in St. Thomas College in St. Paul and along the way met his future wife, Mary Haupt, at a party.  They fell in love, a love that guided them through 68 years of sacramental marriage beginning June 15, 1957, and in the rearing of their four children – Barb, Tim, Pat and Brian.

Dad was selfless and positive. Never in a bad mood. Always positive about life and his family. Dad led by example. He didn’t need to yell at you to get his point across.
We had so much humor in our family growing up. Dad was the instigator but we all learned how to have a dry sense of humor. We always looked forward to Dad coming home each night after a full day at Metropolitan Life Insurance. He was just a joy to be around in all ways.

Dad loved playing touch football on the grounds of St. Paul Academy, near our home on Bayard Avenue. His obsession with sports sometimes drove mom crazy but she adored dad, thrived in his love for her and laughed at his corny jokes. She supported him and aided in his success as a husband, father, businessman, community member and Catholic, passing on the faith to the next generation. She encouraged Dad in his decision to work for his company overseas, where the two of them enjoyed many adventures and travels.

Dad taught us how to explore the world with curiosity and confidence. But he maintained a deep loyalty to Minnesota — and of course his beloved sports teams – the Vikings, the Twins, the Timberwolves — you name it. His love of sports, which he passed on to us, his kids, helped foster a sense of connection to him and our sense of family as a team – Team Arland!

He taught us about people, patience, and integrity. He had this natural ability to teach, to guide without ever making you feel small. He didn’t just want us to succeed; he wanted us to understand how to help others succeed, too.

He encouraged and modeled for us growth, leadership, perseverance and kindness. He meant the world to us.

Ray’s survivors include his wife, Mary (Haupt) Arland; children and their spouses, Barb Arland-Fye and Steve Fye; Tim and Carleen Arland; Pat and Danette Arland; and Brian and Jacquelyn Arland; grandchildren, Colin Fye; Patrick Fye; Ryan Arland; Rachel Arland; Blake Arland and his wife, Erin; Kennedy Addabo and her husband Tim Addabo; Thomas Arland and his wife, Alyssa; Emily Arland; Madelyn Court and her husband, Tanner; Jack Arland and his wife, Dianna; great-grandchildren, Kinley and Kase Arland; Ethan Arland; and Miles Addabo; his sister, Ceil Schommer and her husband, Mel; and sister-in-law, Mary Arland.

Preceding Ray in death were his parents, Raymond John and Irene Arland; his siblings, Rose; Tom, Jean, Bill, Annella, Jack and Rita; and grandson, Justin Arland.

LINK TO LIVESTREAM OF SERVICE

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