Ray Ficek

A Funeral Mass for Raymond (Ray) Ficek, 87, of Dickinson, will be at 10:00am Friday, January 13 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson ND with Father William (Bill) Ruelle celebrating.  Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation for Ray will be from 5:00pm-6:00pm on Thursday, January 12 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Rosary and Vigil service being held at 6:00pm, led by Deacon Ron Keller.

Ray passed away Friday, January 6 at St. Luke’s Home of Comfort, Dickinson, ND

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Friend

Ray was born September 28, 1935 in Dickinson, ND the son of Vincent and Emily (Kralicek) Ficek.  He grew up on a farm north of Dickinson, ND until he was seven years old before his family moved to Woodburn, OR.  Ray attended grade school at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Woodburn.  His family then returned to Dickinson where he finished school at Central Grade School and later graduating from Dickinson Central High School.  Ray continued his education and attended Dickinson State College.   

On November 26, 1958, Ray married Susan Tkach at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, ND. They resided in Dickinson and were blessed with 8 children Wanda, Wade, Guy, Gail, Brian, Brenda, Lisa, and Lee. Ray started his working career at the JC Penny Department store, then S&L Department store, and later working for the ND Highway Department.  He spent the remaining 28 years working at the St. Joseph’s Hospital.  Ray also worked part-time over the years at Geck’s Liquor Store and enjoyed visiting with friends and family that stopped by the store on the occasional weekend.

Ray was an active member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council #1515 organization and German Hungarian club for many years. One of his favorite past times, was listening to old-time music (polka’s and waltz’s) at various dinners and events at the K of C and German Hungarian clubs.  Ray was also devoted to his Christian faith and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he volunteered and served as an Usher and Eucharistic Minister over the years.

Ray had a quiet demeanor, and his life can best be described by his faith, family, and friends.  He loved spending time with his wife Susan, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, friends, and relatives.  Ray and Susan liked to get together with family and friends and play cards (pinochle and whist).  Ray enjoyed fishing with his boys while they grew up and with family on the Tkach side near the Tkach family farm.  Ray did like to travel during his life, Ray and Susan took their children on many family vacations via the family station wagon and later motorhome to Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.  Ray enjoyed some bigger trips he was able to take traveling to Rome, Italy touring Vatican Square and seeing Pope/Saint John Paul during a papal audience.  He also traveled to Alaska on an Alaskan cruise where he enjoyed seeing the glaciers in Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks and trips out west to Washington to visit relatives where he grew up for a time.

Ray had a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife Susan, married 64 years; children Wanda (Chuck) Baumgartner Coon Rapids, MN, Wade (Beth) Ficek Princeton, MN, Guy Ficek Roseville, MN, Gail (Eugene) Kuntz Dickinson, ND, Brian Ficek Atlanta, GA, Brenda (Stan) Olheiser Bismarck, ND, Lisa (Gary) Havelka Coon Rapids, MN and Lee (Stacee) Ficek Andover, MN. 13 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren; sisters, Eileen Burwick Dickinson, ND, brothers, Larry Ficek, Newberg, OR, Ernie (Vivian) Ficek Burnsville, MN, Vince (Roxanne) Ficek Dickinson, ND and Harv Ficek West Fargo, ND whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Emily Ficek, brother Richard (Dick) Ficek; infant sister, Gladys Ficek; and Grandchild Austin Ficek.