Raymond Reich

Raymond Edwin Reich, age 84, a longtime Antelope, ND farmer, died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at the Marian Manor Health Care Center in Glen Ullin. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 4th from 1 pm until 4 pm and Thursday, July 5th, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm all at Spangelo Funeral Home. There will be no visitation at the church. Family services will be held at 1:30 PM Central time on Thursday, July 5th, at Spangelo Funeral Home in Hebron. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery prior to the memorial service. Memorial services will be on Thursday, July 5th at 2:00 PM Central time at St John Church in Hebron with the Reverend Herbert Schauer, officiating. Raymond Edwin Reich was the sixth of ten children born to Fred and Adeline (Imhoff) Reich, February 14, 1923 at Antelope, ND. He was educated in the Heart River District, Hebron Public School and the Assumption Abbey in Richardton. On June 20, 1943, he married Marjorie Diede at the English Congregational Church in Hebron. They began their life together on the homestead of Ray?s father, south of Antelope. There two sons were born, Tim in 1946, and Dennis in 1947. In 1948 they purchased the farm of Marjorie?s parents and moved to that location, south of Custer?s Lookout, where they farmed and ranched until retirement. In 1957 Ray introduced Charolais cattle to the Northern Plains. He began crossbreeding Charolais with his registered Hereford herd which was unheard of at that time. Ray was a charter member of the North Dakota Charolais Breeders Association. He committed himself to raising high quality Charolais cattle and was a state, regional and national leader in that organization. Reich Charolais received numerous awards for their cattle. Ray was a careful steward of the land and had a passion for trees, which he planted and cared for. He was awarded the All-Around Farm Bureau Award and the District Conservation Award twice. He proudly served as supervisor for Central Stark Conservation District for 31 years, was a member and chairman of the North Dakota Soil Conservation District, and served on numerous committees of the National Association of Soil Conservation Districts. He was a member of the Executive Board of Roosevelt Custer Regional Council and the Dakota West RC &D Council. Ray served on the Antelope and Hebron School Boards, was Chairman of the Board of Elders of St. John Church, and was a director for 21 years of Security Bank of Hebron. He was a member of the Hebron Lions Club, Elks Lodge 1137, North Dakota Farm Bureau and North Dakota Stockmen?s Association. Ray enjoyed hosting tours of the farm and ranch, including small private groups, National Women?s Press Conference, US Senators and representatives, many state officials, and friends. He enjoyed traveling, meeting new acquaintances, and always learning new ways to be a positive influence. His travels took him worldwide including Secretary of Agriculture Delegations to Russia and Mexico. In 2005 Ray and Marjorie moved to the Marian Manor Estates in Glen Ullin and in May of 2007, due to declining health, Ray entered the Marian Manor Healthcare Center where he and Marjorie celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Ray was an innovator, a leader, a counselor, a family man, and a man of rich faith in God. He was well known for his strong work ethic, and his clear thinking and wise decision making abilities. To Ray family was the most important resource on Earth. We will never fully know his commitment and willingness to sacrifice for his family. Ray is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two sons and daughters-in-law: Tim and Ree, Belle Fourche, SD, and Dennis and Donna, Richardton, ND; seven grandchildren, Mark Reich, Belle Fourche, SD; Heather (Todd) Heckmann, Hugo, MN; Angela Reich, Belle Fourche, SD; Holly (Jeff) Main, Alladin, WY; Dawn Wetzstein, Bismarck, ND; Dori Reich, Fargo, ND; Dana (Joe) Dobbs, Fargo, ND; and ten great grandchildren: Tyson Reich, Devin Reich, Dillon Reich, Keagan Heckmann, Cobi Heckmann, Isabella Heckmann, Anika Main, Lydia Main, Taylor Wetzstein, and Evan Dobbs. He is also survived by five sisters: Hilda Schwartzmann, Lodi, CA; Florence (Harry) McDaniel, San Carlos, CA; Rebecca Riggs, Aptos, CA; Loretta Mayer, Carmichael, CA; and Betty (Wally) Case,Lodi CA. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Albert and Levi; and sisters: Claire and Hedwig. OFFICIATING Reverend Herbert SchauerMUSIC BYMara Hintz, Organist?How Great Thou Art??Amazing Grace?Paul and Lowell Larson?Man from Galilee? ?Mansion Over the Hill Top?CASKET BEARERSRays? Grandchildren


Burial Date: July 5, 2007
Funeral Home Hebron, ND

Memorial Service: Thursday, St. John Church, Hebron