Raymond "Corky" P. Engel

Raymond "Corky" P. Engel, 79, of Osseo, MN, formerly of South Sioux City, NE passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Rogers, MN.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, July 21, 2014 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, NE with Father David Smith, SJ officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery with military rites conducted by the South Sioux City American Legion. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 20, 2014 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE.Raymond was born December 19, 1934 in South Sioux City, NE, the son of John and Katie (Heenen) Engel. He graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1953. He excelled in football, basketball and track for the Cardinals. He was a Private 1st Class in the U.S. Army and was based in Germany for two years. He was a member of the military police and star football player in the U.S. military league. Raymond attended the University of Nebraska where he studied business administration. He played college football on a full grant-in-aid scholarship. In one year at UNL he ran more yards than the rest of the team put together. He temporarily held the receiving record for the University of Nebraska and belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.Raymond bought, sold and transported spring wheat to and from domestic and foreign companies. During one year in late 1990's, 90% of the spring wheat grown in America crossed his desk. He was the first grain trader to sell spring wheat to Russia and sold wheat globally, including to countries in East Africa. He traveled to Saudi Arabia and showed the Saudis how to build grain elevators. He began his career at entry-level (sweeping the grain elevator floors) and rose to VP. He became VP and GM of Northern Grain. He was a legend among and mentor to his peers. He retired from Con Agra in 1999.Raymond spent time traveling with his sons; in 1991 he and Keith traveled to Islamadora, FL (an island in the Keys). They went deep-sea fishing and together caught a 6-foot white tipped shark weighing 200 pounds. In 2000 he traveled to Germany with Clay and Vince. They visited old army bases and Mozart's birthplace. They also attended a memorable concert by the Strasbourg Quartet. In 2000 he traveled to Atlanta, GA with all five sons, where they did aerial combat in T-34 training fighter planes (Dad won). 2005 found him in Europe (Switzerland, Italy, and Spain) with Robin. They were hosted by European trading partners. He also traveled to Ireland with Vince and Robin (separately and together).He coached hockey and baseball in Osseo's community leagues and was known for his generosity to his community and church. He had a great love for learning, which continued in retirement, when he learned to fly a plane and took piano lessons. He was a proud owner of two 1967 Lincoln Continental convertibles.Corky was positive, always smiling, and loved to entertain family and friends at home. He was also athletic, funny, charismatic, caring, gracious, kind, intelligent and curious. He was a very handsome, simple, humble, unassuming and caring man, never bragging about his accomplishments.Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary Lou; sons, Keith (Lisa), Vince, Clayton, Troy and Robin (Samina); six grandchildren (Aaron, Kylie, Tory, Gunnar, Holland and Ronan); brothers, Pat (Dee) and Bill; and nieces and nephews.Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine and John; sister, Anna Marie; brothers, Jack, Chuck, Vince and Jerry. The family asks that memorials in Corky's name be directed to the Struthers Parkinsons Center, c/o Park Nicollet Foundation, 6500 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55426.