Raymond "Ray" Van Well, 83, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Jenkins Living Center.
A private family funeral mass will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel with Father Kenneth Koster officiating. Deb Schroeder will be the cantor accompanied by Danielle Holmquist-Holida.
A public visitation will be on Monday, May 11, 2020 from 4-6 p.m., with a private family scripture service at 6 p.m. and a rosary to follow at the funeral chapel.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown. Military Honors will be conducted by the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Watertown, with grandson Elliot presenting the flag to the family.
Pallbearers will be Brad Schrempp, Taylor and Elliot Van Well, Cody Lindstrom, Matt, Nick, and Greg Koehn and Joshua Beil.
Raymond Edward Van Well was born to Joseph and Laura (Rausch) Van Well on October 18, 1936 in Bowdle, SD. He graduated from Hoven High School. He enlisted in the United States Army on September 7, 1955 and was honorably discharged on June 6, 1957.
Ray married Bernadette Jangula on January 23, 1960. To this marriage, four children, Kevin, Robin, Keith and Audrey were born. The couple farmed near Onaka for 18 years and then moved to Eagle Butte.
In 1987, Ray moved to Watertown where he operated a lamb feedlot. In 1989 Ray married Marjorie (Tauscher) Koehn. While taking care of livestock near Watertown, they also owned and operated Dagwood’s Sub Shop. His passion in life was raising and feeding cattle/sheep. He also loved visiting, playing cards and attending musical entertainment.
Ray was dedicated to his faith and rarely missed daily mass, he was a long time member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.
Ray entered Jenkins Living Center on July 7, 2017, where he was a resident until his time of death.
Ray is survived by his wife, Marge; his children, Kevin (Colette) Van Well of Watertown, Robin (David) Schrempp of Rapid City, Keith (Kim) Van Well of Watertown and Audrey (Chad) Lindstrom of Eagle Point, OR; his step children, Dean (Kathy) Koehn of Brandon and Dawn (Rory) Beil of Fargo, ND; 7 grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 step great grandchildren. Siblings, Alice (Bill) Hoff of Watertown, Bill (Marilyn) Van Well of Akron, CO, Vic (Clarice) Van Well of Watertown, Jerry (Beverly) Van Well of Henry, Gerri Ann (Brian) DeBoer of Watertown and Dave (Grace) Van Well of Hoven; 4 Rausch uncles, George age 82, Lloyd age 85, Richard age 93, and Donald age 99; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Laura Van Well; his step son, Dan Koehn; and his nephew, Dion Van Well.