1937
Raymond
2015
Raymond Anderson
February 15, 1937 — December 21, 2015
Raymond Lee Anderson
On December 21, 2015 Ray passed away at his home in Choteau, Montana. He died of a "broken heart" after losing his wife, Arlene, just a month earlier. He and Arlene had been married for 55 years.
Ray was born February 15, 1937 in Choteau where he lived most of his 78years and felt was the "best place in the world". He was the youngest of four children to Edwin and Lillian Anderson. Growing up he loved riding his horse, Peanuts, and helping on the farm. He worked during high school for Ira Perkins, JC Salmond and Bob Waltermire and felt they were his mentors who shaped the hardworking, honest person that he became.
After high school Ray joined the Navy and spent time in Japan, San Diego and Hawaii, speaking fondly and often of driving all over the island with his friends. Ray spent many years drilling water wells and also worked the oil fields, which he found to be something he enjoyed and would return to for a time even after he and Arlene got married.
Above all Ray loved being a farmer and would work sunrise to sunset to make a good life for his wife and four girls. It took a lot to get Ray to retire from his passion (does a farmer ever truly retire?) but this allowed him and Arlene to travel. And travel they did- from Alaska, to Europe, Hawaii and Israel. Ray always managed to stay busy in retirement restoring vehicles and farm equipment, helping neighbor farmers during harvest season and always searching out opportunities to "see the Northern Lights" with his camera.
He was a man who loved his country, his Catholic faith, friends and family. He was looking forward to going to California for Christmas this year to spend it with his girls.
Ray will be missed greatly by his family and many friends, who became like family. We will hold him forever in our hearts and memories.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife Arlene, parents, infant brother and two sisters. He leaves behind his daughters, Raelene, Melanie and husband Kirk, Cherie and Ty and Tami and husband Brian and his grandchildren Mitchell, Devon, Travis, Emma and Travis.
Ray will be laid to rest with a Rosary on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau at 7pm and his funeral mass will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11am. There will be a burial immediately following at the Choteau Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church for the church bell fund and to Legendary Lodge, which is a summer camp for Catholic youth would be appreciated.
Condolences can be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com
On December 21, 2015 Ray passed away at his home in Choteau, Montana. He died of a "broken heart" after losing his wife, Arlene, just a month earlier. He and Arlene had been married for 55 years.
Ray was born February 15, 1937 in Choteau where he lived most of his 78years and felt was the "best place in the world". He was the youngest of four children to Edwin and Lillian Anderson. Growing up he loved riding his horse, Peanuts, and helping on the farm. He worked during high school for Ira Perkins, JC Salmond and Bob Waltermire and felt they were his mentors who shaped the hardworking, honest person that he became.
After high school Ray joined the Navy and spent time in Japan, San Diego and Hawaii, speaking fondly and often of driving all over the island with his friends. Ray spent many years drilling water wells and also worked the oil fields, which he found to be something he enjoyed and would return to for a time even after he and Arlene got married.
Above all Ray loved being a farmer and would work sunrise to sunset to make a good life for his wife and four girls. It took a lot to get Ray to retire from his passion (does a farmer ever truly retire?) but this allowed him and Arlene to travel. And travel they did- from Alaska, to Europe, Hawaii and Israel. Ray always managed to stay busy in retirement restoring vehicles and farm equipment, helping neighbor farmers during harvest season and always searching out opportunities to "see the Northern Lights" with his camera.
He was a man who loved his country, his Catholic faith, friends and family. He was looking forward to going to California for Christmas this year to spend it with his girls.
Ray will be missed greatly by his family and many friends, who became like family. We will hold him forever in our hearts and memories.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife Arlene, parents, infant brother and two sisters. He leaves behind his daughters, Raelene, Melanie and husband Kirk, Cherie and Ty and Tami and husband Brian and his grandchildren Mitchell, Devon, Travis, Emma and Travis.
Ray will be laid to rest with a Rosary on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau at 7pm and his funeral mass will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11am. There will be a burial immediately following at the Choteau Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church for the church bell fund and to Legendary Lodge, which is a summer camp for Catholic youth would be appreciated.
Condolences can be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Anderson, please visit our flower store.
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