The death of Mr. Raymond "Ray" Rudolph Schmeiser of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, (and formerly of Fulda and Humboldt, SK), occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. He was 86 years of age. Ray was born on September 2, 1924, to Rudolph and Mary (nee Flory) Schmeiser at Humboldt. He was raised on the Schmeiser family farm southwest of Fulda and attended Keller Rural School. Ray was only 18 years old when his father died. At that time, he took over the operation of the Schmeiser farm. On June 3, 1947, Ray married Esther Lohman at Willmont. Six children, three sons and three daughters, were born to them. Ray and Esther purchased the Eggerman farm near Fulda. There, they ran a mixed-farm operation and raised their family. Ray loved the farming lifestyle and was always a hard worker. Throughout his life, he had a passion for horses also, and really enjoyed the early years when they were an integral part of the farming process. Ray took an active interest in his community too, and helped build the Fulda Hall and St. Joseph's Church where, in later years, he also served on the parish council. In 1981, he and Esther moved to Humboldt and continued to farm from there. In his spare time, he loved going fishing at Marean, Barrier, Wakaw or Squaw Rapids, and travelling with his brothers-in-law Clint White and Tony Musty which enabled him to see most of Canada. He enjoyed cooking and baking too, and his homemade bread was second to none. More than anything, Ray will be remembered as a gentle man, good husband, loving father, and devoted grandfather; indeed, his grandchildren were the light of his life. In October 2007, Ray and Esther relocated to Birch Manor at Bethany Pioneer Village where they continued to reside together until the present. Raymond will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 64 years, Esther (nee Lohman) Schmeiser of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake; five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: Linda (Peter) Stroh of Saskatoon and family, Joanne (Kent) Pudlowski and daughter Cassie, and Brandon (Shelda) Stroh and children Jacine and Reichan; Rudy Schmeiser (Lora Fraess) of Fulda and family, Dustin Fraess and Rheanna Fraess; Marian (Blair) Basset of Peterson, SK; Betty (Brian) Hauser of Pilger, SK, and family, Chantelle (Justin) Gamble and their son Dagen, and Derek Hauser; and Joe Schmeiser (Pam Bergermann) of Muenster, SK, and daughter Shelby Bergermann; daughter-in-law, Joyce Schmeiser of Fulda and family, Bryan (Nanette) Schmeiser and family Alyssa and Courtney; three sisters: Hattie Eggerman of Middle Lake; Helen Musty of Humboldt; and Alma (Clint) White of Regina, SK; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Don Schmeiser (July 8, 2006); his parents, Rudolph and Mary (nee Flory) Schmeiser; and by two brothers-in-law: Ray Eggerman and Tony Musty. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, July 15, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Emile April and Fr. Bernard Stauber. Others taking part were: Rheanna Fraess, cross bearer; Peter Stroh and Joyce Schmeiser, scripture readers; Lora Fraess, intentions; Nanette, Alyssa and Courtney Schmeiser, Cassie Pudlowski, Shelby Bergermann and Jacine Stroh, gift bearers; and Brandon Stroh and Joanne Pudlowski, eulogists. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Ray's life." Active pallbearers were Bryan Schmeiser, Joanne Pudlowski, Brandon Stroh, Chantelle Gamble, Derek Hauser, and Dustin Fraess. Interment followed at St. Joseph's R.C. Cemetery, Fulda. Memorial donations may be directed to either Bethany Pioneer Village or St. Joseph's R.C. Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
