Raymond Podenski

Graveside Services: will be performed Friday, September 10, 2004 at 11:30 a.m., at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota

Graveside services for Raymond Podenski age 82, will be performed Friday, September 10, 2004 at 11:30 a.m., at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota where he will be laid to rest. Full military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Honor Guard.

Raymond Edward Podenski, known to his family and friends as Bud died Saturday, September 4, 2004, in his home after an extended illness.

Bud was born August 9, 1922, in Edgeley, North Dakota, to a Polish immigrant. His father was Anthony Podenski and his mother was Illa (Smith). He had four brothers and three sisters. At the age of 20, he entered the Army to serve his country during World War II. Upon his discharge in 1946, he returned to Edgeley. In 1949, he met Shirley King and after 3 years they married. He worked construction for 17 years and finally settled in Gillette, Wyoming. He later became a welder in the oilfields. His greatest privilege of working in the oilfield was working under Red Adair during Campbell Countys worst oil fires. He owned and operated Rays Welding Service for several years until cancer took his lung at the age of 51.

Rays greatest love was music. At the age of 5 he began playing fiddle music on the family farm and played with his friends until his health no longer allowed him to. He liked to fish, hunt, tell stories and play cards. He loved to travel and did it often.

He is survived in death by his wife, Shirley, two daughters: Jeane LaRae of Mindoro, Wisconsin; and Sara Riddle of Gillette, Wyoming, his sister, Loretta Schlosser and a brother, Hubert Podenski both of Edgeley, North Dakota. He also has several grandchildren and one great grandchild. At the time of his death he lived with his daughter and son in law, Jaime and Sara Riddle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com