Funeral services for Raymond W. Meyer, age 84, longtime Reva farmer/rancher will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Beckman Memorial Wesleyan Church in Prairie City with Pastor Brad Burkhalter, officiating.


Burial will be at 3:00 pm Friday at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish with Pastor Dwight Peterson, officiating. Full military honors will be afforded by the Spearfish Veterans Honor Guard.


Special music will be provided by Jean Ann Quaal, pianist and the Phil Jerde family.


Serving as Honorary Casketbearers are his great grandchildren, Haelee and Tucker Wuertzer, Ava Olson, and all of Raymond's friends and family.


RAYMOND W. MEYER was born in Hettinger, ND on November 18, 1923 to Otto and Vivian (Jones) Meyer. He grew up on the family ranch near Sorum, SD. After attending grade school and high school at Sorum and graduating from North Hollywood High School in California he served in the US Air Force. On December 31, 1943, he was united in marriage to Valerie Medin and after WWII they returned to the home place and became active in ranching. To this union four sons were born: Bill, Robert, Vaughn and Lynn.


Raymond loved to farm and ranch and was very supportive of his family, community and the livestock industry. He served on numerous boards including the Perkins County Fair Board, Livestock Improvement Board, the Crop Improvement Board, and was a founding member of the Sorum Fire Dept. Raymond's passion was Purebred Angus Cattle and he served as director and president of the American Red Angus Association. He was also a director, president, and founding member of the Beef Improvement Federation. Raymond enjoyed farming and was active in the Perkins County Soil & Water Conservation District and received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1957.


In the early 1960's, he earned his private pilot license He spent countless hours flying checking the cattle and the crops, a passion which provided him with many stories, adventures, and memories. Raymond and Valerie loved to travel and visit with family and friends.


Raymond passed away suddenly at his home near Reva, SD on September 14, 2008.


Surviving family members include his three sons and daughters-in-law; Bill Meyer, Belle Fourche, SD; Vaughn and Lois Meyer, Reva SD; Lynn and Ila Meyer, Olathe KS; daughter in law, Robin Meyer, Belle Fourche, SD; 10 grandchildren, Misti Meyer, Koral (Dusty) Olson, Jeffrey Meyer, Jessica (Royce) Wuertzer, Jeny Meyer-Schurbarth (Quentin), Deseree Brittingham, Deidrae Smith, Amanda Meyer, Ashley Meyer, Colin Meyer; 3great grandchildren, Haelee and Tucker Wuertzer, and Ava Olson.


Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Vivian Meyer, his wife Valerie on October 13, 2007; one son, Robert Meyer, two brothers, Edward and Ralph Meyer.


Visitation will be Thursday, 1:00 to 9:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Friday one hour prior to services at the Beckman Memorial Wesleyan Church in Prairie City.


In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Bison Ambulance Fund and the Sorum Fire Department.