Raymond “Ray” B. Strasheim was born on May 22, 1947, in Sidney, MT to Benjamin and Alice (Rau) Strasheim. He grew up on the family farm near Sidney. In 1958, the family moved to Terry, MT, where they farmed just south of town. In 1965, Ray graduated from Terry High School, and when his father passed away later that year, Ray took over management of the family farm and caring for his family.
Ray was united in marriage to Linda Cashatt in 1969. They have two children, Kerri and Lynn. Ray would continue to farm until he semi-retired in 2009. Ray was also very involved in the local irrigation project, Buffalo Rapids, since 1972, serving on the Board and later as Manager until he retired in 2015.
Ray will always be known as being a very knowledgeable and successful farmer. Even after “retiring”, he continued to take pride in growing sweet corn that was enjoyed by many near and far. He also enjoyed tinkering on a variety of projects, usually something for a family member or friend. He was always willing to help family and friends and was called friend by many. Some things Ray enjoyed in his early years were bowling, tractor pulls, throwing darts, and later, having a cup of coffee with friends, fantasy football, and yearly fishing trips to Fort Peck.
Ray passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the Prairie Community Hospital after losing a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin. Ray is survived by: his wife, Linda, and daughters, Kerri (Tim) of Bozeman, MT and Lynn (Jimmy) of Terry, MT; his mother, Alice Strasheim of Miles City, MT; sister Audrey (Emil) Erhardt of Billings, MT; brother Mike (Sherry) Strasheim of Terry, MT; two grandchildren, Landen and Sienna Schilling of Terry, MT; one step-grandchild, Hailey Schilling of Washougal, WA; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friend’s desire memorials can be made to the Prairie Community Hospital or a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Tuesday March 22, 2016
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
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Jamie Hess says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. A great man and friend to many was lost. Everyone in Prairie County knew who Ray was and if they weren’t sure I almost 100% sure they had a piece of Sweet Corn. Trent and I are thinking of you all!
Jim & Marj Anderson says
Thinking of you all. Ray was a great friend to many and Prairie county has lost yet another icon.
Troy and JoDee Hess says
Thoughts and prayers to you all at this difficult time. Ray was the best! He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Greg & Lisa Klevgard says
We will miss a true gentleman, our thoughts and prayers!
Tom and Darlene Hess says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Ray will truly be missed by everyone that knew him.
Delite & Darren says
I will never forget Ray’s good sense of humor and always willing to help others. When he gave his little snicker, his whole body shook and it just made you laugh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kelly & Dulcy says
Linda and family,
Ray was such a wonderful gentle man. Kelly and I have many fond memories of him. He will truly be missed by everyone who had the great fortune of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ray’s family during this difficult time of loss.
Karen Barnes says
Linda, Keri, Lynne and all of Ray’s family – Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Ray was such a good guy and a great family man. I will never eat another ear of sweet corn without thinking of him. I wish I had had a chance to get to know him better. May all your good memories help you through this difficult time. God Bless you all.
Richard & Linda Meidinger says
Sorry to hear of your loss. We were involved in the sugar beet business and bought a truck Old Smokey from him. We usually were at the end of season awards dinners in Sydney and many times shared being in the top 10 growers many times. It was always to have him as a
good friend that was in the same business.
Your all in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. Linda and Richard
Ken and Vicki Hess says
Sorry to hear about Ray. I’ll bet he’s in a big shop right now with a wrench in one hand and a can of green paint in the other.
Linda Koehler and Family says
Dear Raymond’s family…. Walt and I really liked Ray… What was not to like? He was kind, considerate, giving, friendly, and the adjectives just keep coming and coming to mind. He will be so missed in our Terry community and I agree that I, too, will always think of him when I eat an ear of corn! I convey my families sympathy to all of you at this sad time…
Kevin and Toni Kalfell says
There are just not enough kind words to say about Ray. Such a soft spoken man with an amazing kind heart. Never would you not get a sincere “hello” from Ray wherever you would happen to run into him. Prairie County has lost one of the very best and it just won’t be the same without him. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to know this kind kind gentleman. RIP Ray. You will not be forgotten.
Greg and Cindy Ban and Doris Frost says
What a great loss to the community. Ray was such a wonderful man. We had so much fun with him at the volleyball games. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jane Huber says
Dear Strasheim family, I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was a kind and thoughtful man and will be missed greatly. You are in my prayers!
Barbara and Robert Mooney says
One of the first people we met in Terry our daughter and her family live there si when we went to visit we would explore the town no matter how long between our visits Ray always remembered us and made sure we got sweet corn he will be missed Terrys light just got a little dimmer rip Ray thank you for your friendship
Stephen Rein. says
My thoughts and prayers, to your family. You will be missed. It was a fun time tractor pulling. Now you and my dad can swap stories. My God guide you on your final journey.
Keith and Donna Nelson says
Keith and Donna Nelson:
Very sorry to hear about Ray.
The sugar beet industry has lost a great man.
Ray and I were on the beet board together. I enjoyed working with him. He was instrumental in getting some of our sugar beet contracts. He worked very hard to make sure that all of the sugar beet growers were taken care of.
Tim and Diane Ehman says
We will never forget Ray’s smile and kindness to all. We send our sympathy to his family.
Bradd Licht says
Ray was a great man your family is in our thoughts and prayers
Sharon L Volkman says
For Alice and all of the members of the Strasheim family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Jacie Varner Schoenen says
Linda, Kerry, Lynn and families, Ray was always quick with a smile and compliment, truly salt of the earth, a humble and kind man. We are all better for knowing him. Please know that you are all in my heart and prayers.
Barb Hinnaland says
Dear Linda, Kerry, Lynn, Mike and families, I am so very sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Melody Dewald says
Linda and family Ray was truly a kind and gentle person that smile was contagious. Terry will not be the same not seeing him around. Hugs and prayers to the family
Doug and Teri Zook says
Dear Linda & Girls:
Even though this was not entirely unexpected, it’s still so hard to lose a loved one. Please know we are thinking of you all ~ with deepest sympathy and love,
Doug and Teri
Bob and Teresa Etzkorn says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mary Ann & Jim Liles says
Dear Linda, girls, Audrey and all of Ray’s family: We really had some good times together back in the early days, didn’t we? We are sorry to hear of Ray’s death, but will remember him as a great host and a man you could always count on in a crunch.
God bless you all. Jim & Mary Ann
Bruce Clausen says
My condolences to Ray’s family and friends. I had his daughters while they were students in school while I was Superintendent of Terry Public Schools. Ray was a good man, and I enjoyed many visits with him at school events & other places while living in Terry.
Mr. Bruce Clausen
Douglas P Mangen says
My condolences to all of your family. Ray was such a great person and so good to work with thru all the Buffalo Rapids project and at your house.. He had the greatest sweet corn and I would drive all the way to Terry to get some. He so enjoyed showing me the shop and his game room and his corn patch God bless you all during this difficult time. He was a great man and will be missed greatly Doug & Pete Mangen
Cathy Liles Redland says
To the Strasheim family, I send my sincere condolences. I always thought of Ray as a kind and humble man that will definitely be missed in Prairie County. Let the warm memories get you through the rough days, Gods blessings to you.
Dwight and Lynette Tague says
Linda, Kerri, Lynn, and Mike, We are so sorry to about Ray’a passing. His presence in Terry and his wonderful sweet corn will be sorely missed. Our sincerest condolences to all ofor his family.
Dora Meidinger-Huckins says
To the Strasheim Family:
We share in the sorrow of your loss…
We will miss Ray’s warm-hearted smiles, bear-tight hugs, and awesome one-on-one conversations. You couldn’t ask for a greater neighbor when times were tough and a hand was needed- and he never had to be asked; he just showed up with his crew and equipment!
We were truly blessed and so thankful that Ray Strasheim was planted here for us to grow and know…
I am sure that there are a few sugar beet and corn growers telling a few stories together with Ray in his new, restful and peaceful home…RIP.
Delphine Coon says
To Ray’s family, Please accept my condolences. Ray was a great man. He always had a kind word when I would show up in Terry and See him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Jeff and Jessica Bieber says
Ray was one of my first contacts when I started covering the southern area, he treated me with kindness and respect, I always looked forward to swinging in his yard, finding him out in the shop and sitting down for a visit. Many times after he retired, he would still take the time to catch up. Great, great man. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
I association with Ray revolved around Alice and his care of her. He was a caring and thoughtful son. He was a generous and caring man.
Aletta Shannon says
Our sincere sympathy to all of Ray’s family~
Norton Pease says
Missing you Ray, I love you so much. You’ll always be a super hero to me.