Raleigh P. Obenchain
Sunday, March 10, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, July 10, 2023
Age:
94 years old
Visitation
Date: Monday July 24, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Monday July 24, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Sunday, March 10, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, July 10, 2023
Age:
94 years old
Sunday, March 10, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, July 10, 2023
Age:
94 years old
Raleigh P. Obenchain
Raleigh Peter (“Obe”) Obenchain, 94, of Rochester, Minnesota passed away July 10, 2023 at Olmsted Medical Center Hospital.
Raleigh was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on March 10, 1929 to John Henry Obenchain Jr. and Emma Hegenbart.
In 1932, Raleigh and his three siblings were surrendered to the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children orphanage in Owatonna when, during the Great Depression, his parents, who just had a fourth child, could no longer afford to feed the family. Raleigh, his younger sister, and his older brother became wards of the state. From age 3 to 15, Raleigh lived in Cabin 11 with about 30 other boys ages 6 to 14, including his older brother John.
The orphanage closed when Raleigh was age 15. He was taken in by rural Lewiston couple Gerhardt and Frieda Beilke who treated him like family. He worked on their farm and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1947 and was drafted by the Army in 1952 and stationed in Alaska.
Upon return from service Raleigh took dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Rochester where he met Wanda Ronnenberg. The two married in 1960 and the couple made their home in Rochester with Raleigh working at IBM for 35 years.
Raleigh is survived by his daughter Ann of Lyons, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his wife Wanda, his parents, his brothers John Obenchain, Robert (Milton Strasburg), sister Bessy (Bettie Johnston), and the Beilkes.
He will be remembered for his positive outlook on life, his quick wit and love of playing cards, solving jigsaw puzzles, reading, stamp collecting, and in earlier years, gardening. He was a kind, gentle, and beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend, who will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at Olmsted Medical Center Hospital for their care and kindness to Raleigh, especially the Advanced Wound Healing Clinic and the social services teams.
The memorial service for Raleigh will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service.
Memorials are suggested to the OMC Regional Foundation at https://www.omcregionalfoundation.org/foundation/
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Raleigh P. Obenchain has received the following condolences.
Ann, I'm sorry to hear of Raleigh's passing. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations and visits with him at Meadow Lakes. He loved to share his story and was such a kind hearted man. I will treasure my memory of him. Thinking of you, Becky
To Raleigh's daughter, Ann,
I only met Raleigh once when a friend brought him to visit the Orphanage Museum in Owatonna several years ago. It was a pleasure to talk with him and hear some of his memories. He was a real gentleman. His friends also made a donation to the Museum in honor of his 90th birthday. I could tell he was well loved.
My sincere condolences to you on his passing.
Anne Peterson
Museum Manager
Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum
We recall your mother, Wanda and Raleigh attending Christ United Methodist Church years ago. They were a wonderful couple and you will have many good memories of the two of them. Your dad certainly had an extraordinary life. I remember our daughter, Renee and you as good friends in school.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Dan and Cheryl Hamm