Raymond Dennis Meier, 81, Minot, formerly of the Rugby area, died Sunday, March 25, 2012 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Raymond was born April 3, 1930 on a farm near Selz, North Dakota, the son of Ignatz and Agnes (Schmidt) Meier. He was raised on the family farm and educated at country schools near Selz. He moved with his family to Rugby, where he attended schools, until the family moved to Minot. Ray graduated from St. Leo's High School in 1948 and attended Minot State College. He enlisted with the U.S. Army and honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1954.

Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Ray returned to Minot, and was united in marriage to Delphine Thornby on August 23, 1956 at St. Leo's Catholic Church. They made their home in Minot, where Ray was employed in Minot selling Gold Bond Stamps, with Arrowhead Pest Control and as a salesman for Mon-Dak Chemicals from 1963-1989. He also did volunteer work at the local voting precincts.

Ray was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, where he assisted the Church Treasurer, the VFW Post #753, American Legion Post #26, Eagles Aerie. He also enjoyed woodworking, fishing, traveling and spending summers at their lake home at Lake Audubon.

His loving family includes , wife of fifty-six years, Delphine Meier, Minot; daughter, Rebecca (Mark) Welsch, Surrey; son, Steven (Jennifer) Meier, Tuscaloosa, AL; grandchildren, John & Thomas Meier and Shaun & Jacob Welsch; sister-in-law, Donna Meier of Arvada, CO and her children Kristin & Scott.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Susan Ann, and brothers, Leo and Wendelin Meier.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service : Thursday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, North Dakota
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00-7:00 p.m.in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: preferred to the North Dakota Chapter of the American Cancer Society.