Raymond C. "Ray" Deist, 96
Raymond C. "Ray" Deist, 96, "went to be with his Lord and Savior" Friday night, Feb. 18, 2005, at his home in Whitefish. He was the first child born to Clara and Henry Deist on Nov. 24, 1908, in Charles City, Iowa. The family homesteaded in Glasgow while Ray was an infant. Some of his fondest memories were made there.
Dry land farming was hard during the Dust Bowl days, so when Ray was 10 the family packed their belongings and drove the two-rutted dirt Highway 2 to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where his Uncle Wes lived. The family logged there for two years before moving to Kalispell where Ray graduated from Flathead High School.
He served with the National Guard and numerous community organizations. He delivered ice to the Conrad Mansion, was a temporary mail carrier, and made bricks for Kalispell and Whitefish schools and other local buildings. He cut blue ice blocks from local lakes for the railroad ice houses in Whitefish and took any job he could find during the Great Depression.
Ray married Nina Kleiv of Whitefish on Nov. 21, 1940. They made their home in Whitefish. As a couple they were devoted to each other, their family and their church. They nurtured three girls in the same house where they celebrated 55 years of marriage prior to Nina's passing in December of 1995.
Ray knew his longevity was a gift. He was able to live independently, drive his car, and care for his garden and roses until he was 94. Age slowed his body, but his mind was young. He lived through peritonitis before penicillin was invented, two World Wars, multiple conflicts, the Depression, the greatest earthquake in Montana's history and raising three daughters.
Ray worked for the Great Northern Railroad for 34 years until his retirement at age 65. He had open heart surgery at age 89 and was on dialysis for over seven years. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.
Ray's philosophy was a strong determination to change things for the better, the ability to enjoy everyday life, and the courage to embrace the future. He faced each day with optimism. "They say wisdom comes with life's experiences and age." Ray had plenty of both.
Ray loved to fish, hunt, camp and create. He skied Big Mountain before it was a resort. He could slip a cut rose and make a plant.
He made friends easily from every age group. He left a legacy that has inspired his children, his grand- and great-grandchildren and his friends. His love of life, family and commitment will endure. His stories will be retold. He will be greatly, greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by twin sons; a granddaughter; his wife; his parents; three brothers, Lorney, Russ and Bob; and two sisters, Vera and Fern.
He is survived by his three daughters, Arletta and Roger Presnell of Eureka, and her children, Traci of Carson City, Nev., Brett of Fortine, and Bryan of Kalispell; Suellen and Sam Brady of Whitefish, and their daughters, Trisha of Whitefish and Brooke of Sydney, Australia; Donella
L'Hommedieu of Whitefish and her fiance, Mike Benson, of Kalispell, and her children, Brittany and Megan of Whitefish. Surviving him also are seven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Ellen; as well as countless nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish, with a luncheon to follow.
Any memorials or gifts may be made to the Dialysis Patient Fund at Dialysis Center Inc. in Kalispell; the Whitefish Historical Society; or Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.