Raymond Daniel Thum

CLERGY
Rev. Paul Opsahl, Prayer Service
Rev. Gordon Harris, Funeral Service
MUSIC
Organist ~ Marlene Frey
Soloist ~ Lennis Mehlhaff
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All Members of the Paul Grossheusch
VFW Post #2966 of Scotland
CASKETBEARERS
Bob Reimann
Glen Beall
Bill Wenzel
Mark Zirpel
Quentin Thompson
Doug Eickhoff
Raymond Daniel Thum was born on Monday, December 17, 1928 in Bon Homme County near Scotland, South Dakota to Gotthilf and Bertha (Pfaff) Thum. He was baptized on April 7, 1929 and confirmed June 11, 1944 at the Congregational Church. His confirmation class of 1944 was the last class in the Congregational Church to be confirmed in the German language. He attended Blaha Country School through the eighth grade. On November 15, 1949, he married Violet Frey and they farmed near Scotland for fifty-five years. In 2003, they moved to Scotland and Violet passed away in 2006. In 2008, he moved to West Winds in Scotland. He served in the Army during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Corporal. He was a life member of the Paul Grossheusch VFW Post # 2966 of Scotland, where he held many offices including Quartermaster and Commander. He was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ where he was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school assistant superintendent, and a trustee. He was a past member of the Livestock Feeder’s Association, South Dakota Pork Producers, and the Elks. His greatest pleasures were farming, collecting toy tractors, attending his granddaughters’ activities, and spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed playing games and socializing with his West Winds family. He will always be remembered by his family for his sense of humor and the smile that was always upon his face. Ray passed away peacefully at his home on December 11, 2009, six days before his 81st birthday.
Ray’s memory will be cherished by his three children: Sandra (Roger) Dvoracek of Tabor, Brenda Olson of Mitchell and Randy (Amy) Thum of Scotland; two grandchildren: Melissa Olson of Mitchell and Jessica Thum of Scotland; a sister-in-law, Frieda Thum of Scotland; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet in April of 2006, his parents, Gotthilf and Bertha Thum, and a brother, Elmer Thum.