RAYMOND P. EISENZIMMER

Raymond P. Eisenzimmer, 84 of life time resident of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Tuesday evening, November 19, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in the loving care and presence of his family. Mass of the Resurrection for Ray will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Matthew Kraemer celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, November 24th from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ray will be his grandsons, Jeff, Tim, Kasey, Alex, Jeremy, Jason, Shawn, Daryn, Michael, Aaron and Dylan. Reading the Scriptures will be Dave Eisenzimmer and carrying of the Eucharistic Gifts will be Ray’s granddaughters, Megan, Lindsey, Samantha and Morgan. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Audrey Myklebust. Raymond Peter Eisenzimmer, born April 11, 1929 to Mike and Katherine (Keller) Eisenzimmer, born and raised in Devils Lake and attended school at St. Mary’s Academy. As a young man, he worked at OtterTail Power and Swenson Brother’s Plumbing and Heating. He went to work at Camp Grafton in 1950. In January of 1951, the 164th Infantry was called to active duty. They were sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama. In May of 1951, he was united in marriage to Jeanne Wicken while stationed at Camp Rucker. They made their home there until November of 1952, when Ray was discharged from the Army. They returned to Devils Lake and back to work at Camp Grafton. Ray worked for the Guards for 40 years, as a mechanic, inspector and foreman at the Combine Support Maintenance Shop. In 1982, he became the Supervisor of the Central Heating Plant at Camp Grafton, which he also supervised while it was under construction. Ray retired in 1992. He was a member of the National Guard, Elks and Eagles Lodges, Knights of Columbus and a life time member of the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department and also served as their President. He also enjoyed membership in bowling leagues for many years. Ray also served as President of the Devils Lake Band Corporation, served on St. Mary’s School Board and St. Joseph’s Parish Council. He volunteered many hours of his time for a variety of activities, ranging from church breakfasts, K.C. meals, benefits and Baccalaureate breakfasts for the past 25 years. He also gave of his time to participate in Relay for Life. Ray was a man of unselfish service to his family, his country and his faith. Ray is survived by his wife Jeanne; children Terry and his wife, Kathy of Devils Lake, Connie and her husband Kelly Kitsch of Jamestown, ND, David and his wife Paula also of Devils Lake, Patty and her husband Mark Young of Grand Forks, ND and Sandy and her husband Jeff Foss of Harwood, ND; fifteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren Jeff Eisenzimmer and Tim Eisenzimmer, Kasey Kitsch, Alex (Jena) Kitsch and Megan Kitsch, Jeremy Eisenzimmer and Jason Eisenzimmer, Shawn (Holly) Eisenzimmer and their son Gavin and Daryn Eisenzimmer, Michael (Angel) Young and their three children Windyna, Kody and Brayden, Aaron Young and Lindsey Young, Dylan Foss, Samantha Foss and Morgan Foss; brother Jack (Sue) Eisenzimmer also of Grand Forks, ND and many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son, Howard in 2004; sisters Marie Michel and Alice Weber; brothers Floyd, Paul and Bill Eisenzimmer and Joe Keller.