Raymond L. "Ray" Sammon

Raymond L. “Ray” Sammon, age 85 of Faribault, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the Ebenezer Ridges Care Center in Burnsville, MN following an extended illness.

Raymond Leonard, the son of Joseph and Mary (Hanley) Sammon was born on February 8, 1939 in Faribault, MN. He attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1957. Following high school Ray served in the Army National Guard for nine years. On May 13, 1961 he was united in marriage to Caroline Von Ruden at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Faribault. Caroline preceded him in death on September 2, 2015. After their marriage Ray owned and operated Sammon Auto Sales in Owatonna, MN for many years. Later he worked as a salesman at Valley AutoHaus in Northfield until his retirement. 

Ray and Caroline enjoyed camping and snowmobiling with their family and friends over the years. Ray also enjoyed playing cards, fishing, especially ice fishing, golfing and listening to country music. In later years, Ray enjoyed visiting with friends and family at the Moose Lodge and especially enjoyed going to the meat raffle at Our Place on Third on Saturday nights, where he had his own stool and would often go home with a prize or two. Ray loved spending time with his family and loved to dance with Caroline and now they are dancing together once again. 

He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose 2098, the Knights of Columbus Council 889 and the American Legion Post 43, all of Faribault. 

He is survived by his children, Dan (Heidi) Sammon of Cottage Grove, MN and their children, DJ (Casey) and great grandchildren, Mara and Colby, Katie (fiancé, Adam Stirn) and Andy (Jenny) and great grandchild, Addy; Jodi Murphy of Nerstrand, MN and her children, Corey (Danielle) and great grandchildren, Grant, Cullen and Riley, Karissa (Corey) Kielmeyer and great grandchildren, Evan and Brynn, and Dylan (special friend, Ellie Smith); Todd (Lisa) Sammon of Roseville, MN and their children, Hannah, Max and Nicole; and Eric Sammon (Laura Teske) of Faribault, MN and children, Tiffany and great grandson, Leyton, Darian, Abby and Ike; by his siblings, Genevieve (Homer) Guimond of Shakopee, MN, Marion Pirkl of Owatonna, MN and Jack Sammon of Faribault, MN; by his in-laws, Marcella Von Ruden of Faribault, MN, Terri (Dennis) Brady of Medford, MN, Kathy (Arnie) Johnson of Outing, MN, Nancy Chappuis of Faribault, MN, Hank Von Ruden of Faribault, MN and Cathy Von Ruden of Faribault, MN and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter, Caroline Kathleen Murphy, sisters, Catherine Maas, Evelyn Sammon, Florence Maas, Theresa Van Zuilen, and Norita Reuvers, and by brothers, Myron, George, Charles, Francis, William and Donald Sammon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with Fr. Hjalmar Gudjonsson officiating. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory.