Raymond James Pecka

Raymond James Pecka, age 85, of Tulsa, OK, passed away with his wife and daughter
by his side at Hillcrest Medical Center on June 7th, 2022 after battling severe health
issues for the past four months.

Raymond was born on February 18th, 1937 on a farm in Lawton, ND to Emil & Anne
(Drtina) Pecka. He joined the family with older brothers Dennis, Melvin & Charles.
Sister Doris soon joined the family. Raymond enjoyed farm life and it was something
he never got out of his blood. He attended Shepherd School in the country outside of
Lawton, where starting in 1st grade, he began to learn English for the first time. He
remained fluent in the Czech language spoken at home up until his death. At 18,
Raymond joined the United States Army, where he eventually served in Germany for 2
years. Upon completion of his military duty, Raymond returned to North Dakota and
began working for Hulstrand Construction as a heavy equipment operator. While
working near Aneta, ND, Raymond met the love of his life, Gloria Smaaladen. The two
were married on July 22nd, 1967 at Sundahl Lutheran Church in Aneta, ND. Raymond
& Gloria had one daughter, Jodee. They made their home in Aneta for the next 44
years. While in Aneta, Raymond was very active in Sundahl Lutheran Church and also
served on the Aneta City Council for 12 years.


In 1968, Raymond began working for Great Northern Railroad. Thus beginning his love
of all things trains! He eventually became a Section Track Foreman. He was with the
company through many acquisitions including Burlington Northern and eventually
Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Raymond retired from BNSF in 1998 after 30 years of
service. He loved his railroad buddies and they loved him! He was often referred to as
the best boss! Upon retirement, Raymond quickly got bored and started working for
area farmers helping out during planting and harvesting seasons. In 2011, Raymond
and Gloria made the move to Tulsa, OK to be nearer their only daughter and her family.
They joined Joy Lutheran Church in Tulsa and Raymond immediately got involved with
ushering and greeting at the church.


Raymond was a friend of many and never met a stranger! He was always willing to
lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Raymond's biggest joy was his family! He,
Gloria and Jodee spent 2 weeks every summer traveling the United States and Canada
and spent other time in the summer camping at Minnesota lakes. Family time was so
important to him. Upon moving to Tulsa, Raymond dived right into all the activities of
his two grandsons whom he enjoyed and was so proud of! He attended every sporting
event, school program and piano recital. He loved being chauffeur to his grandsons
after school and they will miss his Braums and grocery store stops where they would
load up a cart of all the junk food they wanted.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gloria (Tulsa, OK) and daughter Jodee
Wilsdorf, son-in-law Keith Wilsdorf and grandsons Gavin & Garrett Wilsdorf of Jenks,
OK. He is also survived by sister Doris Pesek of Lawton, ND and sisters-in-law Vickie
Pecka, Beverly Suby, Elsie Davidson and Bonnie Sandeen and several nieces and
nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Raymond is preceded into death by parents,Emil & Anne Pecka, brothers Dennis Pecka, Melvin Pecka & Charles Pecka, sister-in-law Maxine Pecka and Berniece Pecka, brothers-in-law Frank Pesek, Stewart Suby,Laverne Sandeen, Rudy Sandeen, Jerry Smaaladen and Richard Davidson and niecesLisa Suby and Ida Pecka.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 16th at 2:00pm at Joy Lutheran Church in
Tulsa, OK. Interment and a celebration of life will be held graveside at Silent Hill
Cemetery, Aneta, ND at a later date.



Arrangements entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service, 5757 S. Memorial, Tulsa, OK 74145. Family and friends may leave their condolences and kind words at schaudtfuneralservice.com.