Raymond Pitsch, 74

Raymond A. Pitsch was born on Nov. 24, 1948, to Art and MaryAnn Pitsch, in Sheridan, Wyoming, and entered the gates of heaven on Feb. 17, 2023, in Kalispell. The family moved to Hardin in 1950, where he grew up and worked on the family farm/ranch. He was joined with three siblings, Barbara, Ronald and Marilyn. He attended elementary school at Crow Agency and graduated from Hardin High School in 1968.

Upon high school graduation, Raymond attended diesel mechanic school in Denver and Phoenix. Upon diesel mechanic school graduation he moved back to the Hardin area working on area ranches. He finally returned to the home place and worked with his brother Ron.

In 1991 he “broadened his horizons" and attended a Singles Retreat at Trinity Lutheran Church Camp on the shores of Flathead Lake where he met his future wife, Sharon Hanley, while peeling carrots. Raymond moved to Kalispell and he and Sharon were married on Nov. 20, 1993, at Trinity Lutheran Church. They bought their home in 1994 and moved to the country where he could raise chickens and care for his large and bountiful garden. He worked for Scot Hedstrom Egg Farm, Semitool and Randy Bohannan Forestry. He attended Flathead Valley Community College learning woodworking and built several pieces of furniture.

Raymond was a lifelong Christian, and enjoyed having root beer floats on Wednesdays with his church buddies, enjoyed square dance calling, playing cards with his father-in-law and friends, and watching Western movies.

Raymond is survived by his wife Sharon, mother MaryAnn, sister Barbara (Cliff) Berg, brother Ronald (Patricia) Pitsch, sister Marilyn Watson, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephew and many cousins.

Memorial services will be on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at 3 pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 W. California Street, Kalispell, with cookies and beverages afterward. Private family burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Darlington Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Camp c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 W. California St., Kalispell, MT 59901, or a charity of your choice.