Daniel Raymond “Ray” Gaskill, age 87, of Ashland, MT, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018, in the Holy Rosary Hospital from natural causes.
Ray was born on June 5, 1931, in Miles City, Montana, the son of Dan Jr. and Martha (Steadman) Gaskill. He attended grade school in Ashland. During high school he stayed in Miles City with his uncle, Joe Gaskill, and graduated from Custer County High School in 1949. After high school, he returned to the ranch on the East Fork of Otter Creek. At age 21, following the death of his dad, Ray took over the ranch, providing for his mother and two of his younger sisters. Wanda Damm, the school teacher at the East Fork School took his eye and they were married on December 17, 1960. They were partners and best friends for 58 years. They were blessed with four children and raised them in their cozy home on East Fork.
Through the years, Ray served on local school boards and the Soil Conservation Service board in Broadus. Ray was always busy working -‐ never letting any grass grow under his feet. He enjoyed ranching and farming – even raising a crop or two of corn under the pine trees on Daily Creek. Ray worked hard to make improvements to the ranch. He did a lot of “dirt work” with his dozer, building dikes to improve the hay meadows and when he was blessed with a crop of alfalfa seed, it made for an extra good year. In his younger years he worked around the country combining grain and alfalfa seed for various neighbors. Never missing a bargain at a local auction sale, Ray spent his “spare time” collecting antique John Deere tractors and antique furniture. He could spot the potential in the most dirty, old, broken down piece of furniture and refinish it into a beautiful keepsake that he enjoyed sharing with his family. He also enjoyed reading and local history. Ray’s pride and joy were his children and later in life, his grandchildren.
Ray is survived by his wife, Wanda, of 58 years; his children, Rae Ellen (Ed) Bird of Miles City, MT; Roger (Lisa) Gaskill of the family ranch, Barbie (Steve) Riveland of Columbus, MT, and Margie (Mike) Riley of Volborg; sister, Mary Rose (Donald) Kolka of Volborg; and 13 grandchildren – Dan and John Bird; Steven, Michael, Nancy, Andrew, and Rebecca Gaskill; Eric (Joslyn) and Alexa Riveland; Alyssa, Amy, Lucas and Lindsey Riley. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Marjorie Livingston and Kathleen Rosin.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Holy Rosary Hospital and Hospice for the special care they provided.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Refreshments will be served at the funeral home in Miles City following the burial. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Stacey Memorial Hall, c/o Maggie Dice, Volborg, MT 59351, or the Amanda Gaskill Scholarship Fund, c/o Broadus High School, Broadus, MT 59317.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday November 29, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 30, 2018
Faith Bible Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
3:00 p.m.
Friday November 30, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday November 29, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 30, 2018
Faith Bible Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
3:00 p.m.
Friday November 30, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Chris and Diana Elwood says
Dear Gaskill Family, We are so sorry for your loss, you will be in our prayers and thoughts as you go thru the coming days and months. We send our love and God bless.
Chris and Diana
Denise Harvey says
Dear Family of Ray Gaskill,
I pray that you will be blessed with cherished memories and peace. May you join together to celebrate a life well-lived and a wonderful legacy.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Shirley Russell says
Prayers for your comfort at this time of loss of your beloved husband, father and grandpa. Charlie & Shirley Russell
William Collins says
Gaskill Families:
Sorry to hear about the passing of your Ray. Thoughts and prayers from the Collins family in Texas!
Kurt and Julie Collins & family says
Gaskill family;
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord lift you up and give you peace.
Harry and Diana Goodwin says
Our condolences goes out to all the family of Ray, he will always be remembered in our community. Keep the memories close to your heart. Hugs for you all!
Bub&Carlene Gaskill says
Many good memories of Ray and family, to me Ray was the epitome of a life well lived and a family well raised.
Christi and Ken Lovell says
So Sorry to hear about Ray!! He was a bright light to all of you for a long time and will be missed. I remember him racing the boys across the lot and winning, much to their dismay. He had a smile for everyone! We are thinking of you all and know that he is now in a more restful place!
Peggy Wessel says
Prayers and comfort for you Andrew and alll of your family. You have so many wonderful memories and are very fortunate to have carring families to all pull together with. Love and peace from Clint and Peggy Wessel. Will keep you in our prayers.
Norm & Julie Samuelson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. He was a very special person.
Sona says
Please accept my sincere condolences. On your loss of Ray.
May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) May the hope of a resurrection right here on a restored earth bring you comfort. (John 5:28, 29) Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life) Psalm 37:11, 29) But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.
My deepest sympathy
Gaylene Tim says
We are sorry to hear about Ray, our thoughts and prayer are with your family.
Tim and Gaylene
Mike & Michelle Caramella says
All of Ray’s family is in our thoughts. He was so welcoming and friendly to all he met.
Vonnie Shannon says
Wanda and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please accept our sympathy.
Vonnie and family
Pat Dennis says
My condolences to the family of Ray Had Kim. Ray was a positive influence in my life and helped shape my growing up years. I enjoyed working for him and some of the jeep rides we took at the end of a work day. He will be greatly missed.
Shiela cathey says
Oh Wanda and family, it’s been a long, long journey for all of you! You have handled it with dignity, grace and courage. Ray was so blessed to have all of you, as you were him! He was such a special fellow! May he rest in peace. Please know we are thinking and of, and praying for you.
Drew & Marni Gaskill says
Wanda and family – Expressing our sincere condolences to you all. May your memories give you peace and comfort!
Duane & Patsy White says
Sorry to hear, sympathies to all the family
Rick & Dee Abbott says
Dear Gaskill family: We are sincerely sorry for the loss of Ray. We are holding each of you in our prayers for your comfort and solace.
Gerard and Karen Heffner says
Wanda, Roger, and Family we are very sorry to hear of the loss of Ray. Our prayers are with the whole family in this time of grieving.Ray was a great person who always seemed to have a smile on his face that made you feel blessed to have met and talked with him.Ray can be proud of his family for all of them that we have met are the perfect example of the type of friendly people that any Farther can stand tall and proud of.May God look over all of you and bless the family in this time of grieving and in the future.
Lance Gierke says
Wanda, Roger , Rae Ellen and the rest of the family, so sorry to hear about Rays passing, I always loved hearing Ray talk about the history of east fork otter creek! he knew it all and remembered so much of it, I wish I could have recorded everything I heard him talk about! he is in a better place but he will also be missed very much here
Elaine Holmquist says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for your comfort.
Audrey Damm Goyette says
Dear Wanda and family,
I wish you peace and comfort at the most difficult time. May the many happy memories sustain you now and in the future.
Jack & Clare Doran, Will, Dawn and Girls says
Rae Ellen and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, and all your family.
Melody Hanzlik says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all.
martha crandall says
My sympathy
Clint & Zona says
Keeping the Gaskill family in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat Herzog says
Rae Ellen and families. .so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. .in time your broken hearts will be filled with beautiful memories of him. .we’ll keep you in our prayers ..Monte and Pat Herzog
Monte and Barb Wilke says
Dear Wanda and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deb & Bob Hagemeister says
Rae Ellen, Mike and families — so sorry to hear of your loss — our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Gladys Kuehn says
Gladys Kuehn says
I was so sorry to hear about Ray. My prayers are for you, Wanda. May God give; you the strength you will need for the many changes in your life ;without Ray.l I am on a cruise and will call you when I get home.
Linda Potter Thompson says
Dear Wanda,
Thinking of you and your family at this time of sorrow. May hope, faith and love be your strength and comfort in the days ahead. Ray was a wonderful person. I loved talking to him because he could always make me laugh just like Charlie (Daddy) did. He will be missed very much. You take care of yourself and God bless.
Curt and Kate says
So sorry for your loss
Kathy Culy says
Dear Wanda and family,
I was so sad to hear about Ray’s passing.
May you know you are in my heart and prayers.
My Love to you all
Kathy Damm Culy
June Opp says
Wanda ,and all of your family, So sorry to see the passing of your loved one. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time and the days ahead. May God bless and comfort you all.
Ruben and June Opp
Laurie Claypool says
Dear Wanda, RaeEllen, Roger, Barbie, and Margie and families so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, father, Ray. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this time. Hold close all of your memories today and the days ahead! Our deepest sympathy, Laurie, Duane, Anna, and Bryan Claypool
Dave and Jackie Slovak says
So sorry to hear of your loss Margie, Mike, and family.
Sharyn wallace says
Keep those memories tucked in your heart, thinking of you all. 🥀
Joan Damm Smith says
Dear Wanda and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father Ray. You are truly blessed to have had him for so many wonderful years together! My memories are faint but they are there of your family— Because family is family near and far…God Bless.
Joan Damm Smith