Ray George Lindwurm was born February 22, 1932 to Carl George and Bertha (Hasche) Lindwurm at their home southeast of Gregory, South Dakota. He passed away February 26, 2011 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 79 years and 4 days after a lingering illness.

Ray was the sixth of eleven children, he attended Pleasant Site # 51 School and graduated from the eighth grade. After his father was killed in a horse and binder accident, Ray became the man of the family at the early age of ten. When Ray retired, he stayed living at his home on the farm until he was unable to stay alone. At this time he moved to the Parkview Manor in Burke then to Whispering Pines and at last to the nursing home in Gregory.

Ray was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Carlock, where he was baptized and confirmed. He joined Grace Lutheran Church in Burke after Peace closed their doors. He taught Sunday School for many years, a testimony of his love for children can be heard from any niece or nephew that you talk to, or maybe a former Sunday school student.

And that smile! No matter who walked through the door, he always had a big smile for them. Ray worked hard all of his life. He liked to fish, but seldom took time out to go fishing. He enjoyed cookies and candy immensely, watching football and baseball games on tv and did we mention eating cookies and candy! There was a playful bantering that went on during the football and baseball seasons, and whose team was going to pull through. He loved playing cards and pulling little tricks on the kids and spoiling them with candy and games.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lester, and his brothers-in-law: Art Kahler, Ed Moor and Bill Koch.

Ray is survived by his nine brothers and sisters: Irene Koch of Burke, SD; Alma Kahler of Burke, SD; Louise (Ed) Kahler of Gregory, SD; Dorothy Moor of Bonesteel, SD; Mildred (Rudy) Klein of Herrick, SD; Walter (Glenis) Lindwurm of Council Bluffs, IA; Kenneth (Myrna) Lindwurm of Gregory, SD; Norman (Arlette) Lindwurm of Sioux Falls, SD; and Norbert (Sue) Lindwurm of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister-in-law: Ann Lindwurm and a host of nieces and nephews.



Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, South Dakota. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery of Burke. There will be a prayer service on Thursday at 7:30 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.