Raymond Rathbun

Funeral services for Raymond Rathbun were held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2021. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Pierre, SD. Interment with full military honors was at Scotty Philip Cemetery in Fort Pierre, SD.

Ray was born December 7, 1931, the eighth of nine children to Elzie and Agnes Rathbun in Vinton, SD, just west of Fort Pierre. The family lived there until the Great Depression “encouraged” them to move to town.

After graduating from Fort Pierre High School, Ray served his country as a Marine in the Korean war. He received a Marine Corps Commendation with distinction for valor for his excellent service in the line of his profession in the Korean War. After the war, he returned home, met and married Abbie Soesbe, with whom he shared almost 65 more years. Ray and Abbie had four children: Brad, Carla, Carl, and Anne.

Following his military service, Ray worked for an airline, then ran a Standard Oil station in Fort Pierre. Ray devoted the majority of his working career to the State of South Dakota Department of Transportation, working there for over three decades. He was a devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church his entire life. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a volunteer firefighter for the town of Fort Pierre for over 30 years.

Ray led an active life and enjoyed many of the joys of the outdoors. He loved playing sports including baseball, basketball, and football in his youth. He shared his love of the river through fishing and boating, first with his kids, then his grandchildren, then his great-grandchildren.

Ray was an avid golfer. He developed his talent for golf following his retirement. Even after starting the game in his 60’s, he achieved a hole in one in Texas in 2006. Ray and Abbie spent winters in Sunrise Beach Texas where he shared his golfing passion with a variety of friends.

Ray loved his family with every fiber of his being. He would light up when he got to spend time with the grandkids and great-grandkids.

Ray did a little of everything. He served his country in the Korean War. He served his state. He served his church. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter. Most of all, he served his family for all his life, with all his love.

Raymond Edward Rathbun of Fort Pierre, SD, passed away at his home on July 23, 2021.

He is survived by his wife Abbie; children Brad (Mindy) Rathbun, Carla (Tom Winter) Bruning, Carl (Lorri) Rathbun, and Anne Rathbun; in-laws Sheryl Hawkins, Rod and Judy Soesbe, Cherie Soesbe, Suzette Adams, grandchildren: Carisa (Aaron), Curt (Cynthia); Corey (Kara), Jennifer, Josh (Amanda), Abbie (Thomas), Nicole (Colby), Ashley (Greg); Carlie, Rayleen (Nick), Jordain, Lindee, Kaycee, thirty greatgrandchildren; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Frank and Gerald “Jay”, his sisters Mary, Delores, Louise, Emily, Josephine, and Edith, brothers-in-law Terry and Jack Soesbe, and Jerry Hawkins; and grandson Tyler Rathbun.