Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Raska, Joseph Francis “Bud”

Age 90

RASKA, Joseph Francis “Bud” A long time resident of Colville, Washington, passed away on May 7, 2014, at the age of 90.

Bud was born on July 22, 1923, the son of Joseph and Lillian (Hrouda) Raska.

Bud graduated from Colville High School in 1941.

After graduation he worked several part time jobs before joining the Merchant Marines in 1944 where he served his country during WWII until his discharge in 1945.

Soon after his return home, Bud married Joan Snoddy on August 21, 1947 in Colville.

The following year he applied for a job with the Highway Department (now referred to as the Department Of Transportation) and began his career.

While working for the DOT he filled his position as the person in charge of managing the front desk, which involved much paperwork and did so with great pride.

After 33 years of dedicated service, Bud retired in 1981.

Throughout the years Bud had a few hobbies that he spent a lot of time in.

The most important of these were his garden and yard.

He found great joy working in the soil and always kept things in pristine condition.

If he wasn’t working on his own property, he could be found lending a hand for one of his brothers.

Bud never passed up an opportunity to spend quality time with his family at the cabin on the Little Pend Oreille Lakes.

In the more recent years he enjoyed trying his hand with “Lady Luck” at the Chewelah Casino.

He was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan in 2004; son, Kevin Raska; brothers, George Raska, Bernard Raska, Ralph Raska, and Eugene Raska; sisters, Alice Larson and Lillian Huguenin.

Bud is survived by his son, Ron Raska and wife, Diane of Spokane, WA; daughter, Sharon Loan and husband, Dale of Colville, WA; three grandchildren, Brent Raska and wife, Erin of Willmette, IL, Jamie Gray and husband, Jason of Spokane, WA, Whitney Wood and husband, Jordan of Spokane, WA; sister, Mary Ann Schrader and husband, Larry of Colville, WA; numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mr. Raska will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, WA with the graveside service to follow at Mountain View Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of ones choice.

Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.

Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.

DANEKAS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY, Colville, WA