Raymond Vlasak

Raymond Leonard Vlasak, age 82 of Ponsford, MN, passed peacefully with his wife Lynette by his side on June 10, 2025. Ray was so loved by his wife of 61 years Lynette, sister/brother-in-law Karen and John LaFond, sons/daughter in laws and grandchildren: Scott, Heidi, Sarah and Ben; Paul, Deena, Thomas, Casondra and Aaron; Mark and Teri.

Ray was an usher at the movie theater in Downer's Grove IL when he met Lynette who was a popcorn girl. He attended Purdue University and they married while he pursued his degree in Engineering. Ray's career as a Chemical Engineer was spent entirely at 3M, where he was also in the running and biking clubs and traveled internationally to various 3M facilities. Living in Cottage Grove, MN for over 30 years, he was a volunteer for all his sons' sports and Scoutmaster of Troop 191, where he taught outdoor and leadership skills to dozens of scouts. They most enjoyed their extended paddling, backpacking, and bicycling trips, activities which are also enjoyed by his grandchildren.

After childhood years spent visiting Bad Medicine Lake (near Itasca State Park), Ray and Lynette (with his parents Ray and Mary) purchased and ran High Pines Resort, a small family-run resort. Ray taught his sons and grandchildren how to fish, waterski, paddle, hunt and all about cabin, tree and shoreline sustainability. After his parents' passing, they ran the resort until 2024, before handing it over to their sons. Longtime guests have become family to the Vlasaks.

Ray coordinated teams of volunteers over several years to build 72 miles of the North Country Trail (NCT) before becoming the first President of Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the (NCT) and serving on the National NCT Board. He trained volunteers for maintenance of 62 miles of trail, and hosted dozens of trail hike events, earning Vanguard, Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the NCT Association. He served on the Bad Medicine Lake Association board, working with MN DNR and residents to improve and maintain the health and natural shoreline of the lake. Ray served on the Forest Township Board of Supervisors helping establish zoning regulations for the benefit of the lake and area residents. Ray also served with Friends of Itasca State Park to ensure that thousands of park visitors can enjoy Itasca State Park for years to come. His lifelong commitment to conservation has inspired hundreds of volunteers, scouts and his extended family to enjoy, preserve and maintain wild spaces.

Ray's bucket list was completed in August 2024 with a trip to Alaska, hiking part of Mt. Juneau and in many state parks, seeing glaciers and exploring Denali National Park. Ray lived with Parkinson's for many years, then was diagnosed with cancer in January 2025. After his cancer diagnosis, he and Lynette moved to Boutwell's Landing in Stillwater, MN in May, where Ray was visited by family and friends daily, spending every morning with Lynette.

A Ray Vlasak Memorial Hike will be held on the NCT this summer. See NCT Events at https://northcountrytrail.org/events/map/ for date/time (tbd). Ray would appreciate donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org, or the North Country Trail at https://northcountrytrail.org/giving-membership/donate/. Better yet, get out on an NCT trail hike and give thanks to Ray for your even path, the carefully sited and beautiful route, and the wilderness he preserved - so everyone can enjoy it.