Raymond (Ray) Albert Lilienthal, age 82, died in Great Falls, MT on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 following an extended illness. He was born April 7, 1934, the son of Albert and Hilda Lilienthal and brother to Earl Lilienthal. Ray graduated from Custer County High School and joined his father in a masonry block business which soon led to a lifelong career in masonry construction and bricklaying. In his retirement years, he purchased a lake-front home on Echo Lake in Bigfork, MT.
He not only took pride in his masonry and brick laying business but he also had many talents – he restored old cars like his father and also built his own hot rod. He loved collecting and had a number of valuable collections including antique die cast toys, old marbles and antique furniture which he restored. He loved wood-working and making things and remodeling/construction.
While he was still in high school, he began stock car racing and placed in a number of races. He enjoyed going to NASCAR and Indy 500 races when he was younger and faithfully watched them on television when he was older.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Elfriede Johnsen; his two daughters, Terry (Lilienthal) Long, Lori (Lilienthal) Donovan; four grandchildren, Nathan Long, Natalie Long, Brooke Donovan, Haley Donovan; four great-grandchildren, Isaac Long, Kyle Long, Dane Long and Eli Long, and many close friends. His children reflect back on his dry sense of humor, story-telling and his unique metaphors.
A funeral service will be held Monday, June 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 1717 Main St., Miles City, MT. Interment will follow in the Elks Section of the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Audrey Snodgrass says
I am sorry to hear about Ray. He helped my dad on many projects.
Mary Lu and Ervin Schmidt says
I’m sorry to hear about Ray. He ran around with my Brother Bill Leischner in High School and after school. He was a nice person to know.
Terry Long says
I love to hear stories about my Dad. He was bigger than life to me. He was ingenious, inventive, creative, funny, energetic, hard-working, and never stopped making or building something until the day he died. He was a self-made man with all his business ventures and always had lots of “irons in the fire”. He was amazing and I was blessed to be his daughter. I love you Dad.
Fred and DeeDee says
Family of Ray,
He has been gone from the Ashland area for some time but we was never forgotten and was missed. He did many projects around Ashland and our home as well. We loved his sense of humor and his almost daily stops at the hardware store. We have fond memories of him and want you to know how much he meant to us and our community.
Rest in peace Ray.
Michael Speelman says
Prayers to the family, I worked with Ray on many different projects In South eastern Montana he was quite a character, Peace to the family
Fran and Stan says
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. The stories he and Frank used to tell! Condolences to his family and friends.
Curtis O'Brien says
I knew Ray in Ashland back in the seventies. He always had lots of projects going and I learned a lot working for him. I have used those skills many times since then. Thanks Ray