Ray Earls Isaacs Jr. Age 81, of Rice Lake, WI, died Friday, September 8, 2023 in Rice Lake surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on February 27, 1942 in Cook County, Illinois to Ray Sr and Mable (Schmitt) Isaacs.

Ray was married to Bonnie Skogstad on October 27, 1962 in St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Bristol, Wisconsin. They built a home on Montgomery Lake in Salem, WI where all family and friends congregated. He was a supervisor for American Motors for many years and helped design the Pacer car. Ray also drove trucks and laid concrete. They moved to the Township of Stanfold after many drives up to this area and they dairy farmed there from 1976-2020. He loved farming and all of his farm animals, crops and driving his skid steer. He worked construction when Highway 53 came through town and also worked for Stein Bros driving trucks and hauled steel. He loved his apple trees, making pickles, tools, woodworking, welding, leather work and his computers. In his early years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling. He enjoyed time at the Apostle Islands.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Bonnie Skogstad Isaacs of Rice Lake; 2 daughters, Anita (Bill) Robotka of Birchwood and Tammy (Dennis) Kennen of Celebration, FL; 2 sons, Matt (Michelle) Isaacs of Rice Lake and Bill Isaacs; 10 grandchildren, Josh Estes, Joe Robotka, Domminick Kennen, Sara Kennen, Steve Randall, Heidi Baker, Justin Randall, Corey Randall, Patricia Adams and James Isaacs; 12 great grandchildren, Aedyn Kennen, Aubrey Randall, Everly Rose Randall, Ashton Hall, Emily Randall, Alayna Randall, Kai Randall, Carter Swanson, Jayce Nykanen, Cayden Nykanen, Jameson Nykanen and Brooklyn Estes; 3 sisters, Dorothy Schultz of Vernon, IL, Sandy Brieling of Maricopa, AZ and Mabel Mills of Phoenix, AZ; 2 brothers, Pat O’Connor of the Phillipines and Gordon Isaacs of Phoenix, AZ; many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Sr and Mable Isaacs; a sister, Ellen Brough; and 3 brothers, Jim Isaacs, George Isaacs and Andrew O’Connor.

Funeral Services will be held at 1PM Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, with interment in Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 11AM-1PM Wednesday at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals.

Last Update: Sep 10, 2023 1:16 pm CDT