Raymond R. Siegle

Raymond Richard Siegle, 86, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church.

The burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens following the service.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Raymond Richard Siegle was born on March 27, 1936, to Gottfried and Annetta (Isaak) Siegle on the family farm south of Pollock, SD. The family lost their mom when Ray was young and the whole family, especially Ray, worked together to raise the youngest children. Ray grew up on the family farm and attended a rural school near the family farm and Pollock public schools, graduating from Pollock High School. Ray worked for Heston Manufacturing for six months in Kansas but he didn’t like the work, so he returned to South Dakota. After farming for several years, Ray attended Northern State College and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Ray married the love of his life, Jean (Hinderks) Kemnitz on May 24, 1977, and they made their home together in Aberdeen. Jean and Ray built a three-season room onto their house so they could enjoy the view of the garden, their fruit trees, and the flowers they grew. They especially enjoyed long drives in the country watching the land change through the seasons. Ray was a dedicated caretaker to Jean in her last years and he loved her with all his heart.

Ray worked for the South Dakota Department of Labor for 27 years. He retired as an Assistant Tax Chief in February of 1995. Ray attended Pollock Lutheran Church while living in Pollock and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. He was a member of the Elks for many years.

Ray was known for his generosity of giving. He assisted neighbors and friends when they needed help and gave generously from his garden. Ray was a dedicated gardener and even when he no longer needed the produce, he grew it to give to neighbors, friends, and family. He was also generous with his gardening knowledge and each of his children went to him for gardening tips and advice.

Ray is survived by his sister, Freda Hager, of Fargo, North Dakota; special sister-in-law, Marilyn Siegle of Citrus Heights, California; special niece, Donna (Jerry) Wulf, frequent visitors in Ray’s last years of life, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Jean’s children, who became his children: Peggy (Bruce) Madison of Rosburg, Oregon, David (Shirley) Kemnitz of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Julie (Steven) Niewald of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Richard (Nina Tartekoff) Kemnitz of Panama; eight grandchildren: Brian (Katie) Psiropoulos of Modesto, California, Megan (Ian) Meyers of Roseburg, Oregon, Jeremiah (Emily Howe) Psiropoulos of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Nicole (Gabe) Chavez of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Nathan Kemnitz of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Tyler (Danielle) Johnson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Keeley (Steve) Krump of Blaine, Minnesota, and Ian (Natalie) Niewald of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean; his parents; three brothers: Adolph Siegle, William Siegle, and Robert Siegle; seven sisters: Edna (Art) Heckelsmiller, Esther (Henry) Giese, Helen (Art) Dienert, Ruth Siegle, Martha (Oliver) VanderVorst, Ernie (John) Braun, and Lorraine Grote; and brother-in-law, Mike Hager.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, or Christian Worship Hour. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond R. Siegle, please visit our floral store.