Raymond Weikum, 86, Harvey, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at the St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey. His funeral will be held Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. at the **Manfred Seventh Day Adventist Church of rural Manfred with burial in the church cemetery. Arrangements with Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden.

Raymond Weikum, son of Jacob and Katherine (Opp) Weikum, was born August 30, 1926 at Hazelton, ND. He moved with his family at an early age to the Raub area where his parents farmed. Ray grew up in the Raub area and attended Elbowoods High School where he was a starter on the 1942 State Class B Championship basketball team. Following his high school graduation in 1943, he attended Union College in Lincoln, NE for one year.

In 1947, while visiting his brother, Albert, in Des Moines, IA during the Thanksgiving holiday, Ray met Phyllis Greene. As his wife says it, He took one look and stayed. The following year, on July 13, they were united in marriage in Des Moines. They made their home in Walla Walla, WA where Ray enrolled in the Adventist college and studied theology. In 1953 they moved to Moses Lake, WA where Ray did construction work, installing dry wall and painting. While living in Walla Walla and Moses Lake he would return to Raub and assist with the family farm operation when needed.

They returned to North Dakota in 1958 and lived at Raub and later Anamoose and Bismarck for a short time before settling on a farm near Harvey in 1963. Ray continued to farm and work construction until his retirement. Ray and Phyllis moved into Harvey in 2009.

He was a member of the Manfred SDA Church of rural Manfred.

Besides being on a championship basketball team, Ray also played football in high school, and took up snow skiing at the age of 50. In addition to athletics, Ray was a talented artist. He painted and drew landscapes from all over the country. His talent can really be seen in his ability to choose just the right color. Whatever Ray did, he did with care and precision.

Due to his studies in theology at Walla Walla College, Ray was often at the pulpit preaching at the various churches in North Dakota. His close relationship with his Lord, was evident to all he came in contact with throughout his life. He has often been described as a quiet and gentle man by those around him.

Ray and his wife Phyllis were once avid snowbirds. For many years, they took their camper down south for the winter. On their trips, they enjoyed bird watching, hiking and the scenery. They traveled to Arizona, Texas, and California, with their favorite place to visit being Big Bend. No matter where they went, their trip always included a stop in Colorado to visit their children and grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis; daughters, Roberta Kay Evans of Rochester, MN and Dessa Rae (Dennis) Kreiter of Littleton, CO; son, Marlin (Denise) Weikum of Franktown, CO; and 4 grandchildren, Michelle Weikum, Elizabeth (Caleb) Heinrich, Ben (Victoria) Kreiter and Jared (Joylyn) Weikum.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Viola and brothers, Robert and Albert.
He had a firm belief in the second coming of Jesus, and is resting for that day.

**Directions to the Manfred SDA Church: a.) From Harvey - Drive 7 miles south on Hwy. 3, turn left/east on Old Hwy. 52 (16th St. NE), drive 6 miles east, turn right and drive 1 mile south. b.) From Hurdsfield - Drive 14 miles north of the intersection of Hwy. 200 & Hwy. 3, turn right/east onto Old Hwy. 52, drive 6 miles east, turn right and drive 1 mile south. c.) From Fessenden - Drive 7 ½ miles west of Fessenden on Old Hwy. 52, turn left/south and drive 1 mile.