Raymond R. Schott, 76

Raymond R. Schott, 76, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at the Montana Veterans Home, where he had resided since 2005.

He was born May 19, 1932, in McLaughlin, S.D., to Fred and Martha Schott. The family owned a 1,000-acre farm with various livestock, which Ray helped work.

Ray enlisted in the Army in 1953 and was discharged in 1955.

While working as a lineman, he met his wife, Betty Sanders, in Kalispell. They were married March 30, 1957. His work carried him to numerous states until he retired in 1994.

He was an active man and loved to fish, hunt, play cards, water ski, snowmobile, attend rodeos and trap shoot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Schott; and a brother, Vernon.

Ray is survived by his wife, Betty, of Columbia Falls; son, Wade, and his wife, Barb; daughter, Wanita; brother, Harlan, and his wife, Donna; sisters, Erna, Thelma, Linda and her husband, Gayle; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Pastor Matthew Nelson will officiate. Burial will be afterward at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, with military graveside honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead and the Montana National Guard.