Raymond Calvin Dewald

Raymond “Ray C” Dewald, eldest son of John W and Lea E (Weisser) Dewald was born on the current Dewald farm in Oak Hollow Township on January 13, 1934. He went to his heavenly home on February 11, 2024, at the age of 90, at Avera St. Benedict’s Hospital in Parkston, with his family by his side.  

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Sunday, February 18 at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp.

Funeral services begin 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 19 at Friedens Reformed.

Interment will be at Grace Hill Cemetery, Tripp.

Ray was confirmed by Rev Grether on March 21, 1948.  He attended Pearly Mound Country School up until the 8^th grade which was just a walk across the pasture and road.  Ray always said, “Dad bought a tractor so why would I go to High School.”   So, he started farming up until the age of 20 when he joined the US Army from 1954 to 1956 where he served overseas during peace time. Upon returning, he started farming on the family farm up until 2019 when he moved to Tripp.

On October 1^st, 1961, he was united in marriage to Lois Ruth Freier at the First Congregation Church in Scotland. To this union, 4 children were born. Ray and Lois enjoyed farming together, dancing, visiting and playing cards with the neighbors. After Lois’s death on December 29th, 1989, he married Phyllis Louise White at the Bethany United Church of Christ in Delmont on March 20^th, 1993.  They enjoyed dancing, traveling and their many friends and family.

Ray had a strong faith and was an active member of the Bethany UCC in Delmont and then at the Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp after Bethany closed.

Although Ray only had an eighth-grade education, his family was always amazed at his ingenuity and innovation. He was a master farmer, welder, mechanic and jack of all trades. He also served on many boards including the Bethany UCC Church, Oak Hollow Township, Tripp Farmers Elevator, St. Benedict’s Hospital in Parkston, Twin Rivers Old Iron in Delmont and was a member of many farm bureau associations. He was also an active member of the Post 142 American Legion in Tripp since 1978.

Ray loved visiting with family and friends and was always good natured, even after his dementia started seven years ago. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved attending all their occasions and sporting events whenever he could.

Grateful for sharing in Ray’s life is his wife, Phyllis; his children, Tony (Kenna) Dewald of Tripp, SD, Nancy (Terry) Fisher of Harrisburg, SD, Glen (Lori) Dewald of Delmont, SD and Dean (Mariah) Dewald of Harrisburg, SD.; grandchildren, Taylor Fisher of Minneapolis, MN, Morgan (Jeremy) Barnes of Sioux Falls, SD and Emily and Leah Dewald of Delmont, SD; great-grandchildren, Everleigh and Daxton Barnes; stepsons, Phil (Jackie) White of Rapid City, SD and Tim (Christian) White Weber of Portland, OR; step-grandchildren, Kelsey Bedford of Norman OK, Jace White and Heather Kern of Rapid City, SD; step-great-grandchildren, Sapphire Bedford and Madisyn Kern; siblings, Arnie (Ruth) Dewald, Bernie (Rose) Dewald, Roland (Norma) Dewald, Norma (Dale) Reiner and Alvera (Vern) Thompson, all of Sioux Falls, SD and Dennis Dewald of Omaha, NE.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois; his sister, Ruth and brother-in-law, Elmer Baumiller; sister-in-law, Linda Dewald and a host of other relatives and friends.