Raymond F. Kaas

Raymond F. Kaas

Passed away peacefully on November 21, 2021 at the age of 100. Loving husband of Ramona Baumann. Beloved father of Robert (Victoria) Kaas, Linda (Mark) Reinholtz, Marilyn (the late Michael) Kontowski, and Nancy (William) Schwemmer. Dear step-father of David (Kathy Olejnik) Baumann, Bruce (Chris) Baumann, Kathy (Tom) Johnson, Linda Bridgeforth, Keith (Sharon) Baumann, the late Robyn Greenwood, John (Shirley Vargas) Baumann, and Julie (Gareth Mueckl) Baumann. Ray was the proud grandpa of Michelle, Joseph (Anne), Libby, and Matthew, step-grandpa of Jeffrey, Michael, Lee, Courtney, Austin, Christian, Shannon, Kelsey, Beth, Jamie, Jennifer, Joshua, Jessica, Joel, Jacob, Justin, Franklin, and Sarita, great-grandpa of Beonca, and step-great grandpa of 27. Brother-in-law of Betty Kaas. Ray will also be missed by many other family and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife of 63 years and loving mother of his children, Evelyn (nee Jeske) and siblings Leo Kaas and Cecilia Zeman.

After graduating high school in Minnesota and attending Dunwoody Institute, Ray was hired by IBM Corporation at the start of World War II. During the war he joined the US Army Signal Intelligence Service and served in North Africa and Italy, earning the Bronze Star. When the war ended, Ray resumed his IBM career servicing electronic equipment, moving from Minneapolis to Milwaukee. His career grew to focus on large mainframe computer systems, becoming a hardware technical specialist for the Midwest Region for many years, admired by colleagues and customers alike. He retired from IBM in 1986 after 44 years of service. After retirement Ray and Evelyn built a home in Door County, where he enjoyed the environment and pursued his hobbies of astronomy, stereo photography, and amateur radio. He operated under the original call sign W9CBS that he had first earned in high school and held for over 80 years.
Later he moved to Wauwatosa where he had a second chance at love when he met Ramona at Hart Park Square. There they were joined in marriage by Rev. Peter C. Drenzek on August 18, 2012.
In all these things, he was regarded as a quiet gentle man, curious to understand what made things tick, anxious to help others and always focused on his family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Camillus Assisted Living and Hospice staff for their outstanding and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at St. Bernard Parish, 7474 Harwood Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin from 11:00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. Private interment Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.