Charles "Ray" Raymond Kaiser, 77, Carrington, ND, formerly Blaine, MN, died January 25, 2021 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND. Ray was born at home on October 30, 1943 in Clay County, Kansas to Elmo and Grace (Phelps) Kaiser. He lived on the family farm near Miltonvale, Kansas until 1951 when at age seven he moved to North Dakota when his parents purchased Kaiser Ranch west of Ellendale. Ray graduated from Ellendale High School in 1961 and attended college at NDSU where he was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity.
Ray left college after two years when his father became ill and was unable to work for several months. Working with his parents and brothers, Kaiser Ranch expanded, a feedlot was added, and the farming operation increased. Ray was an idea person and enjoyed the latest in technology and conveniences. He demonstrated talent in design and decorating at an early age, constructing model homes and Christmas scenes with plastic building bricks. Ray's talents were instrumental in developing the plans for the family home built at Kaiser Ranch in 1967. He loved taking on home remodeling projects wherever he lived and as his brothers married he shared his design ideas and had input on their home improvements.
After Ray discovered farming and ranching weren't his calling, he launched his career in sales in the late 1970's. He lived in several mid-western cities selling farm equipment until making the Twin Cities his permanent home. He found his dream job as an independent sales representative for MeraVic Corporation selling floral and home decor products and sharing design ideas with his customers. He traveled extensively and received recognition for his sales accomplishments. Ray made many friends at floral and gift stores across the Midwest and logged thousands of miles in his mobile showroom with his dog by his side. His last design project was at Golden Acres Manor where he built a Christmas village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors using the same plastic bricks used in his youth.
Ray had strong opinions, a booming voice, and a laugh we will never forget. He loved life and lived with enthusiasm! He was a kind and generous man and would make sure he found the perfect gift for his parents, brothers, and friends. As the Kaiser family grew he was the greatest Santa nephews and nieces could have. He always knew what the latest Christmas gifts were and where to find them. He genuinely was interested in and cared about the people in his life and, up until his last week, he visited daily with family and friends on the telephone. Anyone who knew Ray experienced his talent as a host, party planner, and excellent cook. He made everyone feel welcome and included. He opened his home to family and friends and created many lasting memories by arranging tickets for musical productions, introducing new and unique restaurants, and enjoying other adventures in the city.
Ray was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He is survived by four brothers, Bob (Karen) Kaiser, Ellendale, ND, Frank (Margaret) Kaiser, Monango, ND, John (LouAnn) Kaiser, Monango, ND, and Jim (Kathy) Kaiser, Washburn, ND; aunts and uncles Joyce Swallow, Manhattan, KS, Wayne (Melvajean) Phelps, Hutchinson, KS, and Jim Phelps, Wakefield, KS; 11 nieces and nephews, Jeff (Nicole) Kaiser, Alison (Kyle) Wendt, Steve (Bobbi) Kaiser, Tom (Becky) Kaiser, Anne (Randy) Hahne, Sarah Kaiser (Laurie McWalter), Michael (Kristen) Kaiser, Ellen (Micah) Doebler, Charles (Brittney) Kaiser, Joseph (Katelyn) Kaiser, and Andrew Kaiser; 22 great nieces and nephews; several cousins; special friend Jeremy Johnson; and countless other close friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Elmo Kaiser and one niece, Alicia Kaiser, who shared the same birthday.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff and administration at Golden Acres Manor for the friendships and excellent care for Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden Acres Manor or a charity of choice.
Services and a celebration of life will be scheduled this spring at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, ND.
—Evans Funeral Home
Ray left college after two years when his father became ill and was unable to work for several months. Working with his parents and brothers, Kaiser Ranch expanded, a feedlot was added, and the farming operation increased. Ray was an idea person and enjoyed the latest in technology and conveniences. He demonstrated talent in design and decorating at an early age, constructing model homes and Christmas scenes with plastic building bricks. Ray's talents were instrumental in developing the plans for the family home built at Kaiser Ranch in 1967. He loved taking on home remodeling projects wherever he lived and as his brothers married he shared his design ideas and had input on their home improvements.
After Ray discovered farming and ranching weren't his calling, he launched his career in sales in the late 1970's. He lived in several mid-western cities selling farm equipment until making the Twin Cities his permanent home. He found his dream job as an independent sales representative for MeraVic Corporation selling floral and home decor products and sharing design ideas with his customers. He traveled extensively and received recognition for his sales accomplishments. Ray made many friends at floral and gift stores across the Midwest and logged thousands of miles in his mobile showroom with his dog by his side. His last design project was at Golden Acres Manor where he built a Christmas village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors using the same plastic bricks used in his youth.
Ray had strong opinions, a booming voice, and a laugh we will never forget. He loved life and lived with enthusiasm! He was a kind and generous man and would make sure he found the perfect gift for his parents, brothers, and friends. As the Kaiser family grew he was the greatest Santa nephews and nieces could have. He always knew what the latest Christmas gifts were and where to find them. He genuinely was interested in and cared about the people in his life and, up until his last week, he visited daily with family and friends on the telephone. Anyone who knew Ray experienced his talent as a host, party planner, and excellent cook. He made everyone feel welcome and included. He opened his home to family and friends and created many lasting memories by arranging tickets for musical productions, introducing new and unique restaurants, and enjoying other adventures in the city.
Ray was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He is survived by four brothers, Bob (Karen) Kaiser, Ellendale, ND, Frank (Margaret) Kaiser, Monango, ND, John (LouAnn) Kaiser, Monango, ND, and Jim (Kathy) Kaiser, Washburn, ND; aunts and uncles Joyce Swallow, Manhattan, KS, Wayne (Melvajean) Phelps, Hutchinson, KS, and Jim Phelps, Wakefield, KS; 11 nieces and nephews, Jeff (Nicole) Kaiser, Alison (Kyle) Wendt, Steve (Bobbi) Kaiser, Tom (Becky) Kaiser, Anne (Randy) Hahne, Sarah Kaiser (Laurie McWalter), Michael (Kristen) Kaiser, Ellen (Micah) Doebler, Charles (Brittney) Kaiser, Joseph (Katelyn) Kaiser, and Andrew Kaiser; 22 great nieces and nephews; several cousins; special friend Jeremy Johnson; and countless other close friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Elmo Kaiser and one niece, Alicia Kaiser, who shared the same birthday.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff and administration at Golden Acres Manor for the friendships and excellent care for Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden Acres Manor or a charity of choice.
Services and a celebration of life will be scheduled this spring at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, ND.
—Evans Funeral Home
Charles "Ray" Raymond Kaiser, 77, Carrington, ND, formerly Blaine, MN, died January 25, 2021 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND. Ray was born at home on October 30, 1943 in Clay County, Kansas to Elmo and Grace (Phelps) Kaiser. He lived on the family farm near Miltonvale, Kansas until 1951 when at age seven he moved to North Dakota when his parents purchased Kaiser Ranch west of Ellendale. Ray graduated from Ellendale High School in 1961 and attended college at NDSU where he was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity.
Ray left college after two years when his father became ill and was unable to work for several months. Working with his parents and brothers, Kaiser Ranch expanded, a feedlot was added, and the farming operation increased. Ray was an idea person and enjoyed the latest in technology and conveniences. He demonstrated talent in design and decorating at an early age, constructing model homes and Christmas scenes with plastic building bricks. Ray's talents were instrumental in developing the plans for the family home built at Kaiser Ranch in 1967. He loved taking on home remodeling projects wherever he lived and as his brothers married he shared his design ideas and had input on their home improvements.
After Ray discovered farming and ranching weren't his calling, he launched his career in sales in the late 1970's. He lived in several mid-western cities selling farm equipment until making the Twin Cities his permanent home. He found his dream job as an independent sales representative for MeraVic Corporation selling floral and home decor products and sharing design ideas with his customers. He traveled extensively and received recognition for his sales accomplishments. Ray made many friends at floral and gift stores across the Midwest and logged thousands of miles in his mobile showroom with his dog by his side. His last design project was at Golden Acres Manor where he built a Christmas village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors using the same plastic bricks used in his youth.
Ray had strong opinions, a booming voice, and a laugh we will never forget. He loved life and lived with enthusiasm! He was a kind and generous man and would make sure he found the perfect gift for his parents, brothers, and friends. As the Kaiser family grew he was the greatest Santa nephews and nieces could have. He always knew what the latest Christmas gifts were and where to find them. He genuinely was interested in and cared about the people in his life and, up until his last week, he visited daily with family and friends on the telephone. Anyone who knew Ray experienced his talent as a host, party planner, and excellent cook. He made everyone feel welcome and included. He opened his home to family and friends and created many lasting memories by arranging tickets for musical productions, introducing new and unique restaurants, and enjoying other adventures in the city.
Ray was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He is survived by four brothers, Bob (Karen) Kaiser, Ellendale, ND, Frank (Margaret) Kaiser, Monango, ND, John (LouAnn) Kaiser, Monango, ND, and Jim (Kathy) Kaiser, Washburn, ND; aunts and uncles Joyce Swallow, Manhattan, KS, Wayne (Melvajean) Phelps, Hutchinson, KS, and Jim Phelps, Wakefield, KS; 11 nieces and nephews, Jeff (Nicole) Kaiser, Alison (Kyle) Wendt, Steve (Bobbi) Kaiser, Tom (Becky) Kaiser, Anne (Randy) Hahne, Sarah Kaiser (Laurie McWalter), Michael (Kristen) Kaiser, Ellen (Micah) Doebler, Charles (Brittney) Kaiser, Joseph (Katelyn) Kaiser, and Andrew Kaiser; 22 great nieces and nephews; several cousins; special friend Jeremy Johnson; and countless other close friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Elmo Kaiser and one niece, Alicia Kaiser, who shared the same birthday.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff and administration at Golden Acres Manor for the friendships and excellent care for Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden Acres Manor or a charity of choice.
Services and a celebration of life will be scheduled this spring at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, ND.
—Evans Funeral Home
Ray left college after two years when his father became ill and was unable to work for several months. Working with his parents and brothers, Kaiser Ranch expanded, a feedlot was added, and the farming operation increased. Ray was an idea person and enjoyed the latest in technology and conveniences. He demonstrated talent in design and decorating at an early age, constructing model homes and Christmas scenes with plastic building bricks. Ray's talents were instrumental in developing the plans for the family home built at Kaiser Ranch in 1967. He loved taking on home remodeling projects wherever he lived and as his brothers married he shared his design ideas and had input on their home improvements.
After Ray discovered farming and ranching weren't his calling, he launched his career in sales in the late 1970's. He lived in several mid-western cities selling farm equipment until making the Twin Cities his permanent home. He found his dream job as an independent sales representative for MeraVic Corporation selling floral and home decor products and sharing design ideas with his customers. He traveled extensively and received recognition for his sales accomplishments. Ray made many friends at floral and gift stores across the Midwest and logged thousands of miles in his mobile showroom with his dog by his side. His last design project was at Golden Acres Manor where he built a Christmas village for the enjoyment of residents and visitors using the same plastic bricks used in his youth.
Ray had strong opinions, a booming voice, and a laugh we will never forget. He loved life and lived with enthusiasm! He was a kind and generous man and would make sure he found the perfect gift for his parents, brothers, and friends. As the Kaiser family grew he was the greatest Santa nephews and nieces could have. He always knew what the latest Christmas gifts were and where to find them. He genuinely was interested in and cared about the people in his life and, up until his last week, he visited daily with family and friends on the telephone. Anyone who knew Ray experienced his talent as a host, party planner, and excellent cook. He made everyone feel welcome and included. He opened his home to family and friends and created many lasting memories by arranging tickets for musical productions, introducing new and unique restaurants, and enjoying other adventures in the city.
Ray was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He is survived by four brothers, Bob (Karen) Kaiser, Ellendale, ND, Frank (Margaret) Kaiser, Monango, ND, John (LouAnn) Kaiser, Monango, ND, and Jim (Kathy) Kaiser, Washburn, ND; aunts and uncles Joyce Swallow, Manhattan, KS, Wayne (Melvajean) Phelps, Hutchinson, KS, and Jim Phelps, Wakefield, KS; 11 nieces and nephews, Jeff (Nicole) Kaiser, Alison (Kyle) Wendt, Steve (Bobbi) Kaiser, Tom (Becky) Kaiser, Anne (Randy) Hahne, Sarah Kaiser (Laurie McWalter), Michael (Kristen) Kaiser, Ellen (Micah) Doebler, Charles (Brittney) Kaiser, Joseph (Katelyn) Kaiser, and Andrew Kaiser; 22 great nieces and nephews; several cousins; special friend Jeremy Johnson; and countless other close friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Elmo Kaiser and one niece, Alicia Kaiser, who shared the same birthday.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff and administration at Golden Acres Manor for the friendships and excellent care for Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden Acres Manor or a charity of choice.
Services and a celebration of life will be scheduled this spring at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, ND.
—Evans Funeral Home
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