Raymond Allen Wiedeman

Raymond Allen Wiedeman, 94, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, passed away on April 16, 2026.

Ray lived a life defined by quiet strength, hard work, and a deep sense of responsibility to those around him. A man of action more than words, he spent his years building, providing, and caring for his family in ways that will continue to be felt for generations.

He served his country in the United States Army near the end of the Korean War and later continued his service for 20 years in the National Guard, retiring after two decades of commitment.

Ray made his career working at the Rhinelander Paper Mill, where he was known for his reliability and steady work ethic. He retired from the mill in 1996.

Ray was a lifelong worker of the land and a builder by nature. He constructed homes with his own hands, worked tirelessly to provide, and found purpose in the honest work of each day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. Wiedeman and LaVerne (Vachon) Wiedeman; his first wife, Donna (Johnson) Wiedeman; his sons, Steven Wiedeman and Allen Wiedeman; and an infant daughter.

Ray is survived by his wife, Zelda Wiedeman; his daughter, Kathi Grandt; and his stepchildren, Tammy, Ginger, Patsy, and Mitzi, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose lives were shaped by his presence.

In accordance with Ray’s wishes, a private family service with military honors will be held. His final resting place will be at Northland Memorial Cemetery, located at the corner of North Shore Drive and Lake Thompson Road in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Ray’s life will be remembered not in grand words, but in the work he gave, the strength he carried, and the lives he helped build. His legacy lives on in the lives he shaped.