Raymond Thaler, 83, of Wagner

Raymond died Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Funeral services are 2:00 PM, Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner with military honors. Visitation will be Thursday from 7 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Raymond Thaler was born May 28, 1933 in Wagner, SD to Albert John and Mary (Valenta) Thaler. He was one of 11 children from within this family. Raymond died Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. He attained the age of 83 years, ten months and 20 days.

Raymond joined the US Army in October, 1953 and served in the Engineers as a Heavy Equipment Operator. After departing the US Army, he worked numerous years within the Construction Industry working on the building of the Oahe and Ft. Thompson Dams in South Dakota. Raymond later worked on the construction of the Missile Silos in North Dakota. Due to a back injury, he was forced to leave the Construction Industry. Ray returned to South Dakota and was employed by Morrow Produce and Larson Mink Ranch in Armour. He was employed by Chuck Eitemiller of rural Armour for several years as a ranch/farm hand. Later, he moved to Spokane, WA and was employed by the YMCA as Building Maintenance. Raymond later moved to Kingston, TN and worked Building Maintenance. After suffering a stroke while having heart bypass surgery in 2008, Ray was moved to the Wagner Good Samaritan Home by his three sons. He resided there until his death on April 17, 2017.

Raymond married Nyla Honomichl on June 12, 1958 in Wagner. Three sons were born from this wedlock: Daniel Ray, Mark Wayne and Randy Lee. Raymond and Nyla divorced in 1975. Ray later met and married Lavelle Englebrecht Davenport and were married in December of 1979.Through this marriage, he gained six step children: Sharon, Michael, Ron, Kevin, Karen and Mark.

Raymond enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards, especially beating his nieces at cribbage. He was a member of the Wagner American Legion for 43 years. Ray was know for having been the Legion Bingo Caller for many years.

Raymond is survived by a brother George (Lorraine) Thaler of Augusta, GA; two sisters-in-law: Lorraine Thaler of Wagner and Betty Thaler of Lawton, OK; daughter-in-law Barb Thaler (Dan-deceased) of Hartford; two sons and daughters-in-law: MSGT USMC (RET) Mark and Kathy Thaler of Omaha, NE; and Sheriff Randy and Gin Thaler of Lake Andes; seven grandchildren: Vanessa Thaler, Hartford; SGT Andrew Thaler, US Army Germany; Regina Thaler and Jared Nelson, Sioux Falls; Amanda Thaler, Omaha, NE; Samantha and Kyle Uttecht, Omaha, NE; CPT Ryan and Ella Thaler, Crooks (currently in Kuwait/Iraq); and A1C Cody Thaler, US Air Force Fairchild AFB, Washington; five great grandchildren: Brayden Keenan, Sadie Uttecht, Hunter Thaler, Hadley Nelson and Zoe Thaler; Stepchildren and spouses: Sharon and Melvin Carney, Michael and Grace Davenport, Ron Davenport, Kevin and Mary Davenport, Karen and Jeff Steinson, and Mark and Shelly Davenport; 11 step grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers: Louis, Edward, Adolph, Lloyd, John, Roy (Ray's twin brother) and Leo Thaler; two sisters: Dorothy Honomichl and another unnamed; his first wife Nyla; his second wife Lavelle; and son Daniel.