IRONWOOD, Mich. - Raymond Arthur Joki, 84, passed away Saturday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Ironwood.

He was born Feb. 4, 1942, in Wakefield, a son of Wilbert and Rachel (Maki) Joki.

Raymond was employed as a civil engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for 42 years starting his career in Minneapolis and many years in Duluth. He was the lead engineer on the redesign of Chapin’s Curve, a segment of Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive Highway 61. He was surprised when aerial photos of this portion of the roadway and his team’s project were featured on the cover of the official State of Minnesota Highway Map. For six years, Ray was the county engineer of Kittson County in northwest Minnesota during the major Red River Flood of 1979. He retired from MnDOT in 2007. He was a man of faith, loving husband and father of seven children. He loved sports, genealogy work, military documentaries, education/learning and serving others. Ray valued time with his family and had a love for trying new things. In his life, he took up many hobbies including building bird houses, windsurfing, gardening, welding and treasure hunting. He relocated with his wife, Macaria, and their five sons back to the Upper Peninsula in 2007, making their home in Ironwood.

Survivors include his wife, Macaria Villones Joki; a daughter, Andrea (Cybele) Joki; six sons, Jason (Teresa), Jared, Joshua, Jacob (Eliza), John and Joseph Joki; a nephew, Eric (Heather) Joki; a niece, Julie (Dwight) Swiggum; cousins; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and his former spouse, Arlys Olson, with whom he raised Jason and Andrea.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Daniel Joki; and a sister, Elaine Joki, in infancy.

Visitation is set for Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lakeside Memorial Chapel, 806 Putnam St., in Wakefield.

Visitation will continue at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1405 Binsfield Rd., Ashland, Wisconsin, on Friday, Aug. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be from 11 a.m. to noon; and food reception will follow from noon to 1 p.m.

The burial service will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, at 2:45 p.m.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.