Ray Paasch

Ray C. Paasch, 87, Belfield, died Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at St. Joseph?s Hospital and Health Center, Dickinson. Ray Paasch was born July 31, 1915, to Henry and Amanda Paasch of Rural Billings County, the second of four children. He attended Billings County schools and graduated from Belfield High School in 1930. Prior to WWII, he worked on the home place, in Washington State during harvest, at the Billings County Extension office and for the Farm Security Administration. He was married to Tena Rusth in 1941, entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, and was discharged in January of 1946, as a Staff Sergeant. He and Tena bought the Chi Otto Ranch south of Medora in 1947, where he lived for 50 years. Tena died in an auto accident in 1953. He married Martha Porter in 1982 and they continued to ranch until 1997, when they moved to Belfield. He was a member and past president of the Medora Grazing Association (1950-51), a 22-year member of the North Dakota Stockmen?s Association, served on the Billings County School District Reorganization Committee and School Board and was active in community affairs. He was a Past Master, 50-year and life member of Roosevelt Memorial (Masonic) Lodge in Belfield; and was a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Scottish Rite, York Rite and El Zagal Shrine of Fargo. In December of 2002, he received the Medora Cowboy Christmas Veteran?s Award. Surviving are his wife, Martha, of Belfield; one son, Dave (Renee) of Dickinson; a daughter, Karen (Gary) Obrigewitch of Wibaux, MT and rural Medora; two sisters, Ione Paasch, Phoenix, AZ and Ruth Hart, Palm Coast, FL; stepson, Dennis (Kathy) Porter, New Salem; stepdaughter, Kathaleen (Carter) Kleinsasser, rural Carrington; eight grandchildren, Dey, Jill, Jay (Jolene) & Ren (Kelly) Obrigewitch; four step grandchildren, Cole Porter, Leslie (Darin) Schill, Sheri (Stuart) Stockmoe and Jimmy Kleinsasser; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his wife, Tena, and one brother, Robert. Ray?s wish was to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday, June 10th 2003, at Roosevelt Memorial Lodge in Belfield. William C. Blair Post #144 will provide military honors. Memorials are preferred to: Roosevelt Memorial Lodge #129, PO Box 785, Belfield, ND 58622.


Burial Date: June 10, 2003
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Memorial Service: Tuesday, Roosevelt Memorial Lodge, Belfield