Mr. Richard Keith Raisanen Sr. 84 of Anniston passed away at his home on July 6, 2024. He was born and raised in Ishpeming Michigan and graduated from high school in 1958. Following graduation, Rick joined the Army and was stationed at Fort McClellan where he served 2 years in the Chemical Division.
While serving at Ft. McClellan, Rick met and married the love of his life, Molly Gross Raisanen of Wedowee, Al. on December 4, 1959. Their home was filled with love and laughter for 61 years until Molly’s untimely passing on January 29, 2021. If you were fortunate enough to come to their home, you would immediately feel the love and warmth upon entering the door. No one ever left their home hungry or without knowing they were truly loved. It was an experience you didn’t soon forget.
Following Molly’s passing, Rick was fortunate to meet and marry Virginia Lankford of Glencoe, Al. Their time together was full of much needed laughter.
Rick was a faithful member of Saks Baptist Church for many years and dearly loved by his church family. Rick loved the Lord with all his heart. He loved his Lord, his church and his family. Anyone meeting him for the first time would quickly learn this, as it was important for him to ask if you knew the Lord and then proceed to tell you all about the Lord and how good he had been to him. This was his life’s mission.
Employed by Bell South he met many people and loved them all. Rick was a friend and father figure to a countless number of people. Loving to laugh, he was also mischievous and often told stories of his many escapades. Rick retired in 1994 after 33 years of service and focused his time on church, family and friends. He loved to hunt and fish, but also loved cooking and gardening. He was surely a beloved man!
Rick is preceded in death by his father, Jalmer Raisanen, mother, Grace Victoria Raisanen, wife Molly Gross Raisanen, daughter, Kelli Raisanen Best, three brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Raisanen, son, Keith (Jana) Raisanen, grandson, Braden (Aubrey) Best, granddaughter’s, Molly (Doug) Fayet, Olivia (Drew) Dunn, Emma Grace Raisanen, Lacy Alexandra Fayet, great grandchildren, Dawson, Brady and Cam Dunn, Blakely Best. Nieces, Carolyn (Randy) Law, Fran Nolin, Susan (Todd) Caldwell, Laurie Whaley, Ginny (Keith) Langley, Sandy (Jerry) White, Jacqueline (Kurt) Morgan. Nephews, Don (Kelly) Gross, Donnie (Tina) Gross and Brian (Kim) Raisanen. Cousin, Zelda (Morris) Jones.
Memorial services and visitation will be held at Saks Baptist Church. Visitation will be Tuesday July 9th, from 5-7 pm. Funeral and graveside service will be held on Wednesday July 10th at 12 noon with an additional visitation from 11:00-12:00. Reverend Daniel Harper and Reverend Brent Thompson will be officiating. Private graveside with family, friends welcome. Chapel HIll Funeral Home is taking care of the service.
Pallbearers will be Chris Law, Keith Langley, Will Langley, Scott Whaley, Greg Harrelson, and Jerry White.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rocky Branch Baptist Memorial fund at:
Rocky Branch Baptist Church
C/O Memorial Fund
12215 County Road 59
Woodland, Al. 36280
Or
Saks Baptist Church
C/O Rocky Branch Baptist Church Memorial Fund
2945 US Hwy 431 N
Anniston, Al. 36206
Condolences may be sent to www.chapelhillfh.com for the Raisanen family.
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