RAYMOND JACOB KOLB of Hysham, MT passed away October 25, 2013 at the Rosebud Health Care Center at the age of 86.
Ray was born July 8, 1927 in Hysham, MT, the middle child of seven children born to Otto & Clara (Messerli) Kolb. He grew up on the family farm & graduated from Hysham High School in 1946.
In 1951 he joined the Navy. After boot camp in San Diego, CA, he was stationed at the Naval Base in Astoria, OR. While on liberty in Portland, OR, he met his future bride, Lillian Cox, at a local dance. They were married in 1953 & moved back to Hysham in 1955 when Ray was discharged from the Navy.
Ray joined his two brothers on the family farm. He was always happiest when he was out on the farm & continued to go out almost every day until his recent illness. Ray’s dedication was not only to the farm, but to his family, friends & community. He faithfully served his church & numerous community organizations in various capacities throughout his lifetime in Hysham.
Ray was very dedicated to the people in his life. The steady stream of calls, letters & visits after his lung cancer diagnosis revealed how many people cared about him & how much he had touched their lives. Ray was always in contact with his family & friends ‘checking in’ to see how they were doing. Ray rarely met a ‘stranger’ – at least not after 15 minutes or so.
He is survived by; his children, Kelly (Louise) Kolb of Farmington, NM; Joy (Bob) Moerkerke of Rhinelander, WI; his grandchildren, Trevor (Samantha) Moerkerke of Santa Rosa, CA; Brooke Moerkerke of LaCrosse, WI.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Lillian Kolb; his parents; an infant grandchild, Aaron Pecheco Kolb; siblings, Helen & her husband Ralph Brown; Agnes & her husband Clarence Engle; Leslie Kolb; sister-in-law, Ethel Kolb; & brother-in-law, Jerry Oman.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 1, 2013 at the St. Joseph’s Church in Hysham, MT. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our website www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Friday November 1, 2013
Hysham Memorial Vale Cemetery
Hysham, MT 59038
Reception
Following Graveside Services
Friday November 1, 2013
St. Joseph's Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Friday November 1, 2013
Hysham Memorial Vale Cemetery
Hysham, MT 59038
Reception
Following Graveside Services
Friday November 1, 2013
St. Joseph's Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Sandy & Bob Kicker says
Joy, Bob and family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. He was always a wonderful person and he will be missed. I so enjoyed hearing from him at Christmas time even after your mom passed. We miss good friends like our Hysham friends. Prayers are with you guys as you adjust to life without him.
Love ya Bob and Sandy Kicker
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Raymond Jacob Kolb – May you find comfort in your loving memories, great pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Kolb. Almighty God did not purpose that mankind suffer and die (Romans 5:12) and has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). Our loving Creator has promised that pain and death will be eliminated (Revelation 21:4). The Paradise that was originally promised for the earth in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled causing God’s “will being done as in Heaven also upon Earth” (Matt 6:9, 10). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Penny Teeters says
Very sad to hear about the passing of Ray. He will be greatly missed by all.
Karen Sable says
To Kelly, Joy, and the rest of the family I offer my heartfelt sympathy. I am reminded of all the wonderful visits I had with your dad about farming and just life in general. His eyes would be smiling and a twinkle in his eye that made me think he was about to tell me a good joke. I will miss those visits; however I praise our Lord that Ray is now rejoicing with Lillian and there is no more pain. Take Care
Ellen Bauer Miller says
From the Frank and Genevieve Bauer Family. We want you all to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Our Dad and Ray were great friends and your parents were wonderful people, always so great to all of us kids as we were growing up. So many good memories. God Bless your family. Genevieve Bauer, Theresa Bauer, Ellen Bauer Miller, Kevin Bauer, Barbara Bauer Kiernan, Marilyn Bauer Caldwell and Keith Bauer and families.
Jennifer Grefe says
My deepest condolences at the passing of such a wonderful man. Ray always greeted me with open arms and a big smile.
Dick (Richard) Kimball says
Hi I feel for your loss. I just had my parents pass in the last month. I remember coming over to the Kolb farm with my dad. I now live in Anchorage Alaska.
Richard Kimball
Kenny and Naomi Rolandson says
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was such a wonderful and caring man and a dedicated husband. Ray always had time for a visit and has so many friends to prove it. Please know that our prayers are with you all and feel blessed to have known such a special man. God’s blessings.
Daryl and Kathleen Newman says
What a nice friendly man. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our sincere sympathy.
Noelle Pinkerton says
In the last few years, when my mother, Marilyn Fortune was with me, she always wanted to catch up with Ray. He always made Mom laugh and bring out stories I had never heard! He had a smile and manner that lifted the spirits of whoever he was with, making that person want to pass on Ray’s gift.
Bob Keele Family says
Bob, Joy, and Kolb family,
We wish to pass on our deepest sympathies at this time. Mr. Kolb touched so many people’s lives in this community. I cannot remember ever hearing anything but positive things about him, and certainly he always had a kind word for me. I appreciated him a great deal. God bless you all.
Larry Brence says
Ray was a great guy. I was the county Extension Agent there in the mid 90’s and Ray served on the Weed Board. He was very committed to his community and making sure that things moved forward. If my day included Ray Kolb, it was always a little bit brighter. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kolb family as they navigate this difficult time.
Harold Hert family says
Our deepest thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow ,he was a good neighbor and
friend!! God bless
Christine Deveny says
Kelly, Joy, and families –
My sincere condolences to you in your loss. I enjoyed many conversations with your dad whenever I visited Hysham over the years. He was always interested in others and had a good story to share. Take care..
Pam Stubsten says
My mother, Pat (Madson) Stubsten, was friends with Lillian. They went to high school together and were friends as young working women in Portland prior to Lillian and Ray marrying. My dad’s family lives in South Dakota and we live on the west coast. Mom and dad made many driving trips to South Dakota and Hysham was on the way. They would always try to stop and visit on their way. They also exchanged annual Christmas letters. Since Lillian’s passing Ray continued to send Christmas letters to my mother. My mother passed way on October 26th from pulmonary fibrosis. I was going through her 2012 Christmas letters and sending notes to her friends. I found out about Ray’s passing online. I want to send my sincere sympathy. I know how hard it is to lose a parent to a lung disease.
Blessings and peace to the Kolb family as you navigate the days ahead.
Pam Stubsten